The Judicial and Legal Service Commission has given the go ahead for a Tribunal to be constituted to investigate allegations of “alleged misconduct or lack of professional performance of the Auditor General Mrs. Lara Taylor-Pearce and her Deputy, Mr. Tamba Momoh”.
The allegation was made in a letter dated 8th November, 2021 addressed to the Chief Justice of the Republic of Sierra Leone, warranting him to convey a meeting of the Commission on Friday, 1th November, 2021.
The approval of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission paves the way for a Tribunal to be constituted to look into the merit of the allegation in accordance with Section 135(5) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone.
It is not yet clear why the erudite Auditor General and her deputy have been suspended indefinitely, but sources within the Judiciary have inform the Global Times that it may not be unconnected with conflict that had long simmered between the Auditor General and the Financial Secretary bothering on whether the Auditor General should maintain an account outside of the Treasury Single Account (TSA). This matter warranted the country’s Solicitor General to give a legal opinion on the matter, earlier this year, mandating the Auditor General to abide by the Financial Secretary’s instructions.
Many people believe that it may also have to do with the serial leakages of Audit Reports about politically exposed persons working for MDAs have had a chance to respond to management letters emanating from the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL).
It is also alleged that some people working for Audit Service Sierra Leone have been using draft audit reports to blackmail and extort money from senior government of
ficials.
All of these allegations will be investigated by the Tribunal.
Investigations continue.
