By: Aminata Kamara
Accountability and rights activists have intensified their calls for State House to publish the tribunal report on the suspended Auditor General, Madam Lara Taylor-Pearce, and Tamba Momoh.
Speaking on Slik Television’s “Today Show” on Thursday, June 27, 2024, the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasrella, emphasized the importance of making the report public. He stressed that the process should be fair, independent, and transparent, allowing the public to understand the allegations against the public officers involved.
Nasrella criticized the government’s actions, warning that the President’s decision to suspend the top auditors sets a bad precedent that could be misused by future administrations. This concern was echoed by Mohamed Konneh, Chairman of the Western Area Budget Education and Advocacy Network, who highlighted the issue of tenure security. He expressed fears that future Auditor Generals might hesitate to perform their duties effectively due to the precedent set by the current administration.
Konneh further stressed the importance of the government’s support for the Auditor General’s office, noting that such backing is crucial for efficient and effective auditing in the interest of the citizens.
To recall, Auditor General Madam Lara Taylor-Pearce and her deputy Tamba Momoh were suspended by President Julius Maada Bio in 2021 on allegations of misconduct or lack of professional performance. In 2022, a tribunal panel was constituted, comprising retired Supreme Court Judge Hon. Mrs. Justice Nyawo Matturi Jones, Hon. Justice Ansumana Ivan Sesay, a judge of the Court of Appeal, and Lahai Momoh Farmah Esq., a retired Principal State Counsel.
Public hearings for the tribunal began on Thursday, March 17, 2022, and concluded on December 19, 2023. The State presented seven witnesses, while the respondents called three. The tribunal’s report was submitted to President Julius Maada Bio on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, by the three-member panel, who were accompanied by the Chief Justice and Minister of Justice at State House.
According to the provisions of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, President Julius Maada Bio may decide to send the report, which contains findings and recommendations, to Parliament or act upon it in another manner.
