𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐂 𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐀 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐙𝐄𝐍𝐒’ 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐀𝐘 𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄 𝐒𝐋 𝐒𝐈𝐌 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓

In a letter dated 13 October 2026, Citizens’ Barray applied to the RAIC for a review under Section 43(b) of the Right to Access Information Act, 2013, alleging that NatCA had failed to respond to an information request submitted on 18 September 2026 within the deadline of 15 working days as provided for in the RAI Act 2013.

The request sought information on the number of Orange Sierra Leone customers affected by the reported incident since 1 August 2026, the circumstances surrounding the loss of SIM card access, the extent of any compromise, and the potential risks to other customers.

Citizens’ Barray also requested details of the measures and timelines for restoring affected customers’ access, identifying the source of the alleged breach, addressing vulnerabilities in Orange Sierra Leone’s systems, communicating with affected customers and the public, and preventing further occurrences. Additionally, the requester sought information on the actions taken by NatCA to establish responsibility and ensure accountability, as well as measures being implemented by the Authority to address the incident and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

In response to the application, the RAIC has formally notified NatCA Director General, Mr. Amara Brewah, of the complaint and invited the Authority to provide a written response within seven working days.

The Commission’s letter draws attention to the obligations of public authorities under Sections 2 and 4 of the Right to Access Information Act, 2013. These provisions require public authorities to confirm or deny whether they hold requested information and, where applicable, communicate such information to the requester within 15 working days of receiving the request, subject to the exceptions provided by law.

The Act further provides that failure to respond within the prescribed period is deemed a refusal for the purposes of complaints and appeals. Section 43 empowers a person whose request has been refused to apply to the Commission for a review, including where a public authority has failed to respond within the statutory time frame.

The RAIC letter also highlighted Section 44 of the Act, which places the burden of proof on the public authority to demonstrate that it has acted in accordance with its obligations under the law. In accordance with Section 45, the Commission is required to provide NatCA with an opportunity to respond to the allegations before reaching its decision.

The letter signed by Chairman and Information Commissioner of the Right to Access Information Commission, Dr Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, further draws attention to Section 48(1) of the Act, which prescribes penalties for persons or bodies corporate that, without reasonable excuse, fail to supply requested information within the period specified by law. The provision stipulates a fine not exceeding ten million Leones for an individual and one hundred million Leones for a body corporate, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both, upon conviction.

The RAIC has cautioned that should NatCA fail to respond within the seven-day period, the Commission may proceed to determine the application based on the documents available to it and consider the applicable penalties in accordance with the law.

The Commission emphasises that the review concerns the alleged failure to respond to a request for information and that NatCA has been afforded an opportunity to present its position before the Commission makes a determination.

The RAIC remains committed to upholding the Right to Access Information Act, 2013, promoting transparency and accountability in public institutions, and ensuring that citizens can exercise their legal right to access information held by public authorities.

For Media Inquiries contact David Patrick Kamara

Manager, Public Information and Communications

Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) National Secretariat

+23278407847

Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.