ACC Concludes Investigation into Corruption Allegation Against Clerk of Parliament and Wife

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Sierra Leone has concluded its investigation into corruption allegations against the Clerk of Parliament, Hon. Umar Paran Tarawally, and his wife, Mrs. Abibatu Parana Tarawally.

The investigation, which began in January 2024, focused on claims that Mrs. Tarawally was improperly employed and received salaries and allowances without performing her duties.

The ACC’s findings confirmed that Mrs. Tarawally was employed as a Human Resource (HR) Officer from September 2021 to March 2023. During this period, she received a monthly net salary of 7,676 Leones, amounting to a total of 156,422 Leones over 19 months. Mrs. Tarawally admitted that she worked for only a few days before falling ill and subsequently traveling abroad for medical treatment.

The sum of 156,422 Leones, received as salaries and allowances, has been fully recovered from Mrs. Tarawally and deposited into the ACC Recovery Account.

Regarding Hon. Umar P. Tarawally, the investigation revealed that, while he denies any involvement in his wife’s employment, it is considered unlikely that he was unaware of her situation.

The ACC concluded that he failed in his supervisory responsibilities as Clerk, although the evidence did not meet the threshold for prosecution.

The matter has been referred to the President for appropriate administrative action.

Mrs. Tarawally has refunded the full amount received and has agreed to a settlement as per Section 89 (1)(b)(i)(ii) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008, amended in 2019. She will also pay an additional 10% interest on the amount, totaling 15,642 Leones, and is barred from holding any public office for at least five years.

The ACC’s Corruption Prevention Department will collaborate with the Office of the Clerk of Parliament and the Human Resources Department of the Parliamentary Service Commission to implement robust systems to prevent future administrative irregularities.

The Commission expressed gratitude to the Leadership and Members of Parliament, the Parliamentary Service Commission, the Accountant General’s Department, and the Ministry of Finance for their support and cooperation. The ACC also thanked the public for their patience during the investigation.