Corruption

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2023

Principle established: Commissions of Inquiry established under the Constitution have the mandate to examine the assets of former public officials to determine if they were acquired lawfully.

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 · 2014

Principle established: In criminal cases involving the handling of project funds, the prosecution must establish the specific legal obligation of the accused to deal with the property in a particular manner.

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 · 2023

Principle established: The establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the conduct and assets of former high-ranking public officials is a valid exercise of constitutional authority.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2023

Principle established: Public officials are subject to investigation by Commissions of Inquiry regarding the lawful acquisition of their assets during their tenure in office.

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 · 1950

Principle established: A solicitor who acts for clients with conflicting interests without insisting on independent advice, or who knowingly files false affidavits, is guilty of professional misconduct.

Sierra Leone — African Law Reports · 1950-56

Principle established: A legal practitioner may be found guilty of professional misconduct for acting for clients with conflicting interests without securing independent advice, or for negligence regarding a clerk's conduct, but can only be struck off the roll for personal misconduct.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 1984

Principle established: Whether a witness is an accomplice is a question of mixed fact and law, and no corroboration warning is required where a witness is neither an accomplice nor serving a personal interest.

Zimbabwe · 2024

Principle established: A public official may be convicted of theft of trust property if they misappropriated assets entrusted to them in their official capacity.

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.

Sierra Leone — African Law Reports · 1920-36

Principle established: A barrister obtaining exorbitant fees from an unrepresented client under false pretences provides reasonable cause for disciplinary action and being struck off the roll.

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.

South Africa · 2022

Principle established: Publication of false and defamatory allegations regarding the misappropriation of state resources is unlawful and may warrant an interdict for removal and a public retraction.

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.

Zimbabwe · 2025

Principle established: Disciplinary proceedings against an employee for public statements undermining the employer's image are subject to judicial review to ensure compliance with the relevant code of conduct and principles of fairness.

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.

Ghana · 2026

Principle established: Not yet classified

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2022

Principle established: Not yet classified

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2011

Principle established: Not yet classified

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2022

Principle established: Not yet classified

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2022

Principle established: Not yet classified

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 2022

Principle established: Not yet classified

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 2001

Principle established: Not yet classified

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2021

Principle established: Not yet classified

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2022

Principle established: Not yet classified