Freetown, 19th November, 2025 — Barrister and Solicitor Yada Hashim Williams has issued a strong rebuttal to the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) following its press release of November 11, 2025, concerning allegations of bribery involving Road Safety Warden Abdulai Barrie.
Williams said the Authority’s public statement contradicted the findings of its own investigative body, which had earlier apologized for the incident and promised administrative action.
According to Williams, the investigative panel led by the Director of Human Resources and five senior wardens convened on November 7, with both himself and Barrie present to recount what transpired on November 3. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Director of Human Resources reportedly stated:
“On behalf of the Board, Management and staff, I want to tender our sincere apology. This is not what we tell them to do. Yes, as long as you are in uniform, you are representing the Authority, but those things he did are not of the Authority. We want to apologize. As an Authority, we have to take administrative action.”
Williams said it was therefore “mind-boggling” for the SLRSA management to issue a statement that departed so sharply from the investigative body’s conclusion.
He further defended his allegation, stressing that it was made in good faith. “Corruption by wardens is an open secret,” he noted, adding that many citizens remain silent out of fear of harassment or futility. He argued that bribery often occurs discreetly and within seconds, making audio or video evidence difficult to obtain.
Williams maintained that his testimony, coupled with admissions made by Barrie, was sufficient proof. He cited two key points: that Barrie requested they move into his vehicle away from public view, and that Barrie asked for NLe250,000 despite lacking authority to alter the statutory fine of NLe400.
The lawyer also criticized the SLRSA’s call for him to withdraw what it described as an “unsubstantiated media post.” He said the Authority’s reversal was “ridiculous and disingenuous,” given that its own investigative body had already apologized.
“It appears as if the management was uncomfortable with the findings of the investigative body and sought to [abandon/dump] them,” Williams stated. He insisted his complaint was not malicious but a matter of civic duty.
“Sierra Leone will become a better country only when citizens speak up and institutions respond constructively not defensively,” he said, reaffirming his claim that Warden Barrie solicited a bribe.
