Corruption offences

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2015

Principle established: A judicial officer may be charged with misappropriation of public funds under the Anti-Corruption Act for actions taken in their official capacity.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2013

Principle established: A convict seeking to pay a court-ordered fine after the expiration of the deadline may apply for an extension of time to pay the remaining balance.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2013

Principle established: An applicant convicted of dishonest appropriation of donor funds under the Anti-Corruption Act may apply for bail pending the hearing and determination of their appeal.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2014

Principle established: Upon the quashing of a conviction, the court must order the refund of all sums paid by the accused as fines or restitution related to the quashed counts.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2013

Principle established: A public official may be convicted of misappropriation of public funds under the Anti-Corruption Act for giving verbal instructions that lead to the unauthorized disbursement of state funds.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2014

Principle established: When a conviction for corruption is quashed on appeal, any monies paid as fines or refunds of the subject matter of the offences must be returned to the appellant.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2013

Principle established: Convictions for abuse of office and failure to comply with procurement laws under the Anti-Corruption Act may result in substantial fines or concurrent terms of imprisonment.

Zimbabwe · 2023

Principle established: Where an exception to a criminal charge is upheld on the basis that the facts do not disclose an offence, the accused is entitled to be found not guilty and discharged.

Zimbabwe · 2026

Principle established: Public officers commit a criminal offense when they act inconsistently with their duties for the purpose of showing favor or disfavor to any person.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 1978

Principle established: A conviction for obtaining money by false pretences cannot be sustained where there is insufficient evidence to prove the falsity of the pretence made.

Malawi · 2023

Principle established: A stay of proceedings pending appeal may be granted to preserve the status quo and prevent the frustration of the intended appeal.

Malawi · 2023

Principle established: The court exercises its inherent jurisdiction to grant a stay of execution where it is necessary to ensure that the ends of justice are met pending an appeal.

Malawi · 2023

Principle established: An application for a stay pending appeal requires the court to balance the interests of the parties and consider the potential for irreparable harm if the stay is refused.

Malawi · 2023

Principle established: The Supreme Court may grant a stay of proceedings to prevent the execution of a lower court's order while an appeal challenging that order is being determined.

Malawi · 2023

Principle established: Bail conditions may be varied by the court if they are shown to be unnecessarily restrictive or if there is a change in circumstances warranting such variation.

Malawi · 2023

Principle established: The state is required to make full disclosure of its case and serve the charge sheet within a reasonable time to allow the defendant to prepare their defense.

Malawi · 2025

Principle established: A public officer commits an offence by failing to declare a direct or indirect interest in a contract being considered by a board of which they are a member.

Malawi · 2023

Principle established: Prosecution for certain corruption offences requires the formal consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions as a statutory prerequisite.

Zimbabwe · 2022

Principle established: A public officer commits criminal abuse of office by intentionally performing an act in the exercise of their duties for the purpose of showing favour or disfavour to any person.

Ghana · 2024

Principle established: The court determines whether criminal proceedings must commence de novo upon the reassignment of a case to a new judge or whether previous evidence can be adopted.