On Friday, Deputy Minister of Justice Alphonze Sesay formally presented the Tribunal Report to Parliament, marking a critical step in the constitutional process that could lead to the removal of Auditor General Lara Taylor-Pearce and her deputy, Tamba Momoh.
The report’s presentation follows an investigation into allegations of misconduct against the two officials.
Parliament has been adjourned until Thursday, October 31, 2024, when members are expected to reconvene to debate the report’s findings and vote on its recommendations.
The Tribunal’s conclusions, which are now under parliamentary scrutiny, paint a troubling picture of the Auditor General’s office during the 2020 financial year.
According to the Tribunal, Taylor-Pearce and Momoh were implicated in several irregularities, including the inclusion of unjustified and unverified conclusions in the final 2020 Auditor General’s Report.
The Tribunal also identified improper third-party external confirmations of receipts and a failure to conduct a proper audit of the Freetown City Council for the 2020 financial year.
The report further highlighted conflicts of interest and breaches of confidentiality by the two officials.
In response to these findings, the Tribunal recommended that the Anti-Corruption Commission conduct an investigation into Taylor-Pearce and Momoh’s conduct.
It also called for the Constitutional Review Committee to assess and enhance the mechanisms for monitoring and disciplining the Auditor General’s office.
As of now, both Taylor-Pearce and Momoh have not issued any public statements regarding the Tribunal Report. Their silence leaves the public and Parliament waiting for a response as the debate looms.
The coming parliamentary session will be crucial as lawmakers weigh the Tribunal’s recommendations, which could reshape the future of the nation’s auditing institutions and ensure accountability in public office.
