๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐. ๐๐๐ง๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐ฒ.
Non-compliance in the ongoing tribunal hearing between the State and the suspended Auditor General Mrs. Lara Taylor Pearce and her deputy Tamba Momoh will not kill the Tribunal, Retired Justice Nyawo Matturi Jones, Chairperson of the Tribunal said at yesterday`s hearing in Freetown. “We have to join hands together for progress in the substantive tribunal hearing,” Chairperson Justice Nyawo Matturi Jones told Counsels representing both the State and the Respondents.
At yesterday`s hearing, the first Respondent Counsel, Mr. Thomson representing Lawyer Roland Wright, filed and served a written preliminary objection paper to the motion filed in November 2022 by the State counsel. The preliminary objection dated 20th February 2023, was filed pursuant to Rule 14 of the Practice Direction.
Because of the late service, Senior State Counsel Ahmed G. M. Bockarie, on behalf of the State, requested for adjournment within 30 days, as provided for by the rules of practice direction.
โOur intention as Judges sitting on the tribunal, Justice Ansumana Ivan Sesay said, โis not to delay the hearing, and not meant to end or terminate the tribunal, but both sides of the State and Respondents are responsible for the delay due to one objection or the other raised by either sideโ.
“This tribunal is very important in a nation, and delays in the hearing cannot take us anywhere, but to follow rules and procedures as prescribed by the rules of practice direction,” former senior state counsel Lahai Farma stated.
The 30 days adjournment sought by the State Representative was reduced to 14 days, and hearing has been adjourned to the 6th March, 2023.
The second respondent, Mr. Tamba Momoh, was absent at yesterdayโs hearing. He was represented by prominent legal luminary Mohamed Pa. Momoh Fofana
