The Sierra Leone Football Associationn(SLFA) has suspended its Finance Manager, Ibrahim Bah, following questions over more than Le1.3 billion withdrawn in cash from the association’s bank account ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
According to SLFA sources, the suspension came after Mr. Bah failed to produce supporting documents and receipts to account for how the money was spent.
The account, held at the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, started with a balance of about Le12 million. It later received two major sponsorship deposits: Le1 billion from SL Commercial Bank and Le700 million from Africell.
Shortly after, withdrawals and spending from the account reached Le1.307 billion. Auditors say some of the transactions appear to have breached the FA’s own financial rules.
Two withdrawals are now under particular scrutiny:
– Le575 million withdrawn on 5 November 2021 for hotel bookings and other AFCON preparations
– Le429 million withdrawn on 10 November 2021 through three counter-cheques by the FA’s Finance Director.
Officials say the use of counter-cheques for such large cash payments also violated standard procedures for handling FA funds.
The SLFA says the review is part of efforts to improve accountability in the management of funds for national football.
The association has assured that the audit will continue and further action will be taken based on the findings.
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