DENNIS SANDY AGAIN?
…FROM SEXUAL ASSAULT TO FORGERY ALLEGATIONS
By SierraEye
Sierra Leone has loudly positioned itself as a global champion in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence—through sweeping legislative reforms, high-profile campaigns, and international diplomacy. From the First Lady’s “Hands Off Our Girls” initiative in 2018 to President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership in securing a UN resolution on access to justice for survivors in 2022, the country has cultivated a moral brand of progressiveness. But that image is now cracking—badly.
At the heart of this rupture is Dr. Denis Moinina Sandy, the current Minister of Works and Infrastructure, and formerly Minister of Lands. Allegations against him are not just scandalous—they are potentially criminal. Yet, the government has responded with a chilling silence. And that silence is sounding more like complicity with each passing day.
A Web of Allegations the State Can’t Ignore
Dr. Sandy is accused of orchestrating a fraudulent divorce through forged court documents and impersonation of a respected law firm, Betts & Berewa Solicitors. According to court documents filed by the firm, Dr. Sandy is alleged to have registered a forged Decree Absolute—dated 27 November 2024—falsely backed by Betts & Berewa without the firm’s knowledge or consent.
Betts & Berewa has flatly denied any involvement in the matter, stating it never acted on behalf of Dr. Sandy. The firm claims the misuse of its name has not only damaged its professional integrity but also undermined public trust in the legal system. It is now seeking NLe 2.5 million in reputational damages.
Even more disturbing are claims in a letter from the law firm Michael & Michael, acting for Dr. Sandy’s estranged wife, Mary Kai Sandy. The letter alleges the decree was obtained through “irregular, potentially criminal and corrupt means.” Mrs. Sandy was reportedly in the United States during the supposed proceedings and was never served court papers. There is no trace of the case in the court’s cause book. Justice Ganda, whose name appears on the decree, has denied ever presiding over such a matter.
If proven, this isn’t just a legal misstep—it’s a deliberate subversion of the judiciary by a senior government official.
The Stepdaughter’s Allegations—and the Deafening Silence
Adding fuel to the fire is a public video posted last year by Dr. Sandy’s stepdaughter, Amira Koroma, alleging further misconduct. While the specifics remain unverified, the nature of her claims—and the silence that followed—should have triggered an immediate and transparent investigation. It didn’t.
This is a government that declared a national emergency over sexual violence in 2019. That amended its laws to allow for life imprisonment for rapists. That led global efforts to establish an international day spotlighting child sexual exploitation. And yet, when serious allegations surround one of its own—allegations implicating fraud, abuse of office, and potential personal misconduct—the same government suddenly can’t find its voice.
Will Bio’s Government Sacrifice Credibility for Loyalty?
This is not a minor scandal. It’s a test. A test of whether the principles shouted from UN podiums and splashed across campaign banners actually mean something at home.
@SierraEye understands that the Judiciary has already investigated the case and submitted a damning report to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). If that’s true—and no action follows—then the government is not just passive; it’s complicit in protecting a minister accused of manipulating the courts for personal gain.
Contrast this with Namibia, where Agriculture Minister Mac-Albert Hengari was recently dismissed and arrested after being accused of raping a minor and attempting to bribe her into silence. He denies the charges—but he was still shown the door. That’s called accountability.
Sierra Leone must now decide: will it uphold its global image of moral leadership or expose it as a hollow facade propped up by selective justice?
The stakes are immense—not just for Mary Kai Sandy, for Amira, or for the law firms fighting to clear their names—but for the soul of Sierra Leone’s justice system. If the government fails to act decisively, it forfeits any claim to credibility on matters of justice and women’s rights.
Dr. Denis Sandy may be politically protected for now—but untouchable? That depends on whether President Bio is prepared to risk the nation’s moral authority to shield one man.