The Sierra Leonean Government has barred more than 100 public officials from travelling outside the West African country while it probes allegations of graft.
Those banned include ex-Sierra Leone President, Ernest Bai Koroma, and others who served during his tenure.
The order signed by the attorney general and minister of justice instructs the country’s chief immigration officer and inspector general of police to not allow them to leave Sierra Leone by air, land or sea until they have clearance.
Every one of them had been ordered to pay back stolen money, forfeit their houses, or they will be further investigated.
Koroma’s opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party has dismissed the allegations, saying they will go to court to challenge the travel ban.
The country’s President, Maada Bio, had last week in an interview said the commission of inquiry, led by foreign judges, was a major breakthrough that would help make corruption unfashionable and risky.
He added that it is time to draw the line against graft.
The commission identified 111 individuals consisting of former heads of parastatals, bankers, and businessmen as “people of interest”.
