By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Mr. President, it’s been a long time coming, but as promised, I am here to discuss the bankers. Particularly, I want to focus on one of them at Rokel Commercial Bank, Dr. Walton Gilpin, who, much like you, seems to be on a quest for awards as though they are manna from heaven. Yes, like Manna from heaven! But let’s not stop there; we also have things to talk about, Mr. Abdulai Yusuf Sillah of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank.
Mr. President, if you think you and your wife are the only ones parading around, hungry for recognition and accolades, I have news for you. Dr. Walton Gilpin seems to be joining the same parade. But the accolades and recognition aren’t what concern me today. No, Mr. President, the real issue here is much darker.
Dr. Walton Gilpin, like your esteemed Minister of Works, has been accused on multiple occasions of sexual harassment. These allegations aren’t whispered in back rooms or carried on rumours alone; no, they have been brought to light, yet somehow, they have been conveniently ignored by the police. Mr. President, why has there been no action taken?
When ordinary citizens like that poor young man Kpaka were charged with murder, the police were quick to act. Kpaka was arrested, to be tried soon with alarming speed, perhaps because he lacked the financial clout and connections of people like Dr. Walton Gilpin. When a person of lesser means is implicated in a crime, they are easy to fry, just another small fish in a large, corrupt system.
But when it comes to those like Gilpin, who sit in positions of power, who have wealth, and who bask in the glow of awards, the system seems to turn a blind eye. What does that say about your governance, Mr. President?
It is no secret that under your administration, there seems to be one set of rules for the rich and another for the poor. A system where the wealthy are untouchable and the less fortunate are served the harshest penalties for even minor infractions. The scales of justice seem to be deliberately tipped, and the courts, over which you supposedly have no influence, have become tools of oppression for those without money or influence.
The courts, under your watch, dole out record sentences for civil infractions like unpaid debts. Meanwhile, those in positions of power—people who manipulate the system for personal gain—are left untouched, free to continue their predatory behavior.
I know, Mr. President, that you may grit your teeth when you read these words. Not because you’ve eaten something sour, but because it irks you that I can exercise my right to free speech without fear of reprisal. But what should anger you more is the fact that these injustices are happening under your leadership.
Mr. President, you’ve often argued that you will not interfere in the workings of the police or the courts. But forgive me for saying, sir, that this claim smells like rotten eggs. Your refusal to act on allegations of wrongdoing in your administration, whether in the banking sector or elsewhere, gives credence to the belief that you do, in fact, have a hand in controlling how justice is meted out.
You can’t wash your hands of these scandals and expect us to believe that you are simply a bystander in a system that seems to bend at your will. It’s a lie, sir. Oops, my bad, it’s not just a lie; it’s a carefully constructed shield to deflect blame and maintain the status quo.
Under your leadership, miracles seem to happen everywhere, especially in the banking sector. Look at the manager of Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, who somehow managed to use the bank’s money to help himself to luxury cars without following procurement procedures. Where is the investigation into this blatant abuse of power? Where is the justice for the people of Sierra Leone whose money is being squandered?
Oh, right, nothing happened. Because, as always, those in power, especially in the financial sector, seem to slip through the fingers of the law. And why? Because, Mr. President, your so-called “anti-corruption czar, “Mr. High Barb” himself, Francis Ben Kaifala, has turned a blind eye to the nefarious activities of these wolves in sheep’s clothing. His hands are so oiled with bribes that he can’t even lift a finger to investigate.
Mr. President, let’s not pretend for a moment that you aren’t aware of this. The brown envelopes that exchange hands in dark corners, the deals made behind closed doors, the greasing of palms—it all happens under your watch. And yet, you do nothing. Why? Because you benefit from it.
It’s an open secret, Mr. President. You, too, receive your share of these bribes, directly or indirectly. That’s why these bankers, these so-called elites, continue to run rampant, unchecked, and unpunished. The system is rigged in their favour, and you, Mr. President, are a part of that rigging.
But let me remind you, Mr. President, that the spirits of our women and girls, the ones who have been victimized, harassed, and silenced, will not stay silent forever. The accusations against Dr. Gilpin and others like him cannot be ignored indefinitely.
One day, Mr. President, the voices of these women will rise, and when they do, they will demand justice. They will demand accountability for the wrongs committed against them. And when that day comes, no amount of awards, no amount of bribes, and no amount of political maneuvering will be able to protect the guilty.
Mr. President, the day of reckoning is approaching, and it will not be kind to those who have taken advantage of their power and position. The justice that has been denied to the poor, the powerless, and the marginalized will come. And when it does, it will hold accountable every person who has contributed to this corrupt system, from the bankers to the politicians to those who sit at the very top, including you.
So, Mr. President, I suggest you take a long, hard look at the system you’ve allowed to flourish under your leadership. A system where the rich and powerful can commit crimes without consequence, while the poor are thrown to the wolves for the smallest infractions. Because sooner or later, that system will come crashing down, and when it does, you will have no one to blame but yourself.
Mr. President, it’s not too late to make things right. But it requires real action—action that goes beyond empty promises and hollow declarations of non-interference. It’s time to hold the wealthy and powerful accountable for their actions, just as you would the poor. It’s time to clean up the rot in our financial institutions, to protect our women and girls, and to bring justice to those who have been denied it for far too long.
The choice is yours, Mr. President. But remember, the spirits of the victims are watching, and they will not be silent forever.
