FAKE CREDENTIALS, RESIDENCY FRAUD
…AMINATA BANGURA MAY BE DISQUALIFIED FROM SLFA PREXY RACE
In examining the candidacy of Aminata Bangura for the presidency of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), fundamental legal and ethical questions arise that compel rigorous scrutiny. One must ask – Is Aminata Bangura known to the football fraternity? What verifiable contributions has she made to football governance in Sierra Leone? Who facilitated her candidacy? Has she engaged in any material misrepresentations concerning her residency or football involvement? Has she facilitated or been complicit in the fabrication or falsification of official documents? These inquiries transcend mere curiosity; they implicate core tenets of integrity, eligibility, and legality under the SLFA Constitution and applicable statutory frameworks.
The doctrine of legal certainty mandates that eligibility criteria under Article 32(5) of the SLFA Constitution 2019, requiring candidates to have been actively engaged in football administration for no less than five (5) years, be strictly adhered to. This provision operates as a substantive qualification to ensure candidates possess the requisite competency, experience, and familiarity with sport’s governance, thereby safeguarding the principles of good governance and fiduciary responsibility. Aminata’s conspicuous absence from football circles suggests a failure to meet this indispensable criterion, which renders her candidacy ultra vires (beyond legal authority) and susceptible to judicial review or administrative challenge.
The principle of estoppel also arises regarding her claimed football credentials and residency. To present oneself as qualified without the requisite experience or lawful residency constitutes fraudulent misrepresentation, potentially making any nomination null and void ab initio (from the outset). Article 32(4) stipulates a continuous residency requirement of five (5) years preceding the Congress, certifying candidates have a genuine and sustained connection to Sierra Leone. Evidence indicates that Aminata neither satisfies this condition nor is physically present in the country, violating this express constitutional mandate.
Moreover, the apparent involvement of Benjamin Gordon in the alleged falsification of documents implicates both parties in conduct proscribed by the Forgery Act of 1913, Section 2. Under this statute, the fabrication or use of any document with intent to deceive or mislead constitutes a criminal offense of forgery, a fraudulent act punishable under criminal law and contravening public policy. The actus reus (guilty act) and mens rea (guilty mind) elements are arguably established by the submission and use of false documents to augment Aminata’s eligibility thereby attracting potential criminal liability as well as disciplinary sanctions.
From an ethics and governance standpoint, Aminata’s conduct transgresses Article 2(f) of the SLFA Constitution, which obligates the Association to prevent any conduct “which may jeopardize the integrity of matches or competitions or give rise to abuse of Association football.” This provision embodies the principle of integrity and serves as a normative standard binding on all participants to uphold fairness, transparency, and honesty. The deliberate falsification or misrepresentation of credentials not only subverts these principles but undermines the legitimacy and credibility of the Association’s electoral process.
Internationally, the FIFA Disciplinary Code (2019 Edition), Article 21, and FIFA Code of Ethics (2020 Edition), Article 24, provide lex specialis governing forgery and falsification in football. These codes impose strict sanctions, including fines and suspensions, pointing out zero tolerance for fraudulent conduct. The principle of comity requires national associations, including the SLFA, to work with these standards, thereby upholding uniformity and integrity across football governance globally.
Failure to enforce these provisions would constitute a breach of statutory duty and expose the SLFA to legal risk and reputational damage. The doctrine of fairness demands that all candidates be subjected to the same rigorous eligibility verification to preserve the sanctity of the electoral process and prevent inequitable treatment or procedural impropriety.
In conclusion, the candidacy of Aminata Bangura is fraught with legal infirmities and ethical breaches that mandate immediate disqualification. Her failure to satisfy the express eligibility criteria under the SLFA Constitution, coupled with credible allegations of document forgery, constitute grounds for nullification of her candidacy and prompt disciplinary investigation. Upholding these legal and constitutional requirements is imperative to preserve the rule of law, ensure procedural fairness, and protect the integrity of football administration in Sierra Leone.
The SLFA Ethics Committee and relevant authorities must act decisively and expeditiously to uphold these principles, thereby restoring confidence in our football governance and safeguarding the future of the beautiful game.