On Wednesday, June 12, 2024, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone received an important investigation report from the Chairperson of the Tribunal concerning the former Auditor-General, Mrs. Lara Taylor-Pearce, and Deputy Auditor-General, Tamba Momoh. This report, presented in booklet form, details the facts, findings, and recommendations from the Tribunal’s investigation.
Justice Nyawo Finda Matturi-Jones, JSC Retired, the Chairperson of the Tribunal, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and highlighted the significance of executive compliance with constitutional provisions, specifically Subsection 9 of Section 119 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No. 6 of 1991.
She commended President Bio’s
decision as the most democratic option available under the Constitution for
disciplining his appointees, countering initial perceptions of a witch-hunt.
Justice Matturi-Jones emphasized that the Tribunal operated with guaranteed
judicial independence, allowing them to investigate impartially based on the
facts and relevant laws.
“Your Excellency, your decision was probably the
most democratic of the options open to you under the Constitution regarding the
disciplining of your appointees. It could not be a witch-hunt, as initially
perceived and declared by some. We were guaranteed judicial independence, so we
felt free to investigate the alleged conduct before us impartially and
according to our assessment of the facts and understanding of the relevant laws
without any restrictions,” she stated.
She acknowledged President Bio’s respect for
judicial objectivity and impartiality, commending him for upholding the rule of
law and ensuring the right to be heard. She explained that the President
maintained a monitoring and disciplinary role over the Auditor-General, with
cabinet assistance under Sub-Section 7 of Section 119. In her view,
establishing the Tribunal was the most democratic approach available to
President Bio concerning the appointment, suspension, or dismissal of his
appointees.
President Bio, on behalf of the government and
the people of Sierra Leone, thanked the committee for their exceptional work on
what he described as a challenging task. He noted the significant
responsibility placed on the process and emphasized the duty of legal practitioners
to ensure adherence to the Constitution, the supreme law of the land.
He expressed hope and optimism that the spirit
and intent of the law had been followed throughout the investigation. He
reiterated his appreciation to the committee, saying, “On behalf of the state,
I want to thank you immensely for doing such an exceptional job. We will take
the necessary steps with this document to make sure we come to a logical
conclusion on this matter.”
President Bio’s receipt of this investigation report marks a significant step in addressing the allegations against the former Auditor-General and her deputy. The Tribunal’s findings and recommendations will guide the next steps to ensure accountability and uphold the principles of justice and constitutional compliance in Sierra Leone.
The outcome of this process is anticipated to reinforce the government's commitment to transparency and good governance, reflecting President Bio’s dedication to democratic principles and the rule of law.
