UK Serious Fraud Office Reviews 20 Cases After Bribery Prosecution Collapse

Britain’s Serious Fraud Office has dropped a long running bribery prosecution linked to alleged corruption in Sierra Leone and announced a review of around 20 other cases amid fresh concerns over disclosure failures.

The case involved three former executives connected to London Mining who had been charged in 2023 following an investigation that began in 2016. Former chief executive David Graeme Hossie, ex chief financial officer Rachel Rhodes and former consultant Ariel Armon had all pleaded not guilty to corruption charges.

On Thursday, prosecutors told Southwark Crown Court that there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. The judge formally directed not guilty verdicts. The trial had previously been delayed until January 2028, partly because the SFO required additional time to review material that might need to be disclosed to the defence.

Disclosure rules require prosecutors to share relevant evidence with defence teams to ensure fair trials. The SFO acknowledged that issues relating to disclosure were among several factors behind the decision to abandon the case. Lawyers for the defendants said disclosure problems were central to the collapse.

The development marks another setback for the agency, which has faced repeated criticism in recent years over its handling of complex fraud and corruption prosecutions. The SFO said it had already stopped using an older disclosure system and had identified further problems where some material may not have been available for review. As a result, it has begun examining approximately 20 live cases to assess whether similar issues could arise.

Campaign group Spotlight on Corruption said the collapse raised serious questions about how disclosure problems had not been detected earlier. The organisation called for greater transparency and stronger oversight to prevent further failures.

The end of the London Mining prosecution adds to a series of high profile collapses. In 2023, a case against former executives at security firm G4S fell apart over disclosure shortcomings. Earlier, in 2021, proceedings against former employees of government contractor Serco were also halted for similar reasons.

The latest setback comes as the agency’s director, Nick Ephgrave, prepares to step down at the end of March, earlier than expected. While his tenure has been marked by efforts to speed up investigations and bring more timely charging decisions, critics argue that persistent disclosure failures undermine confidence in the agency’s ability to secure convictions in complex cases.

The SFO is responsible for tackling serious and complex fraud, bribery and corruption. Its review of ongoing cases is intended to safeguard the integrity of future prosecutions and ensure compliance with disclosure obligations. However, legal experts say the repeated issues highlight structural challenges in managing large volumes of digital evidence and maintaining robust oversight throughout lengthy investigations.