CSOs Demand Swift Judgment Following Conclusion of Auditor General’s Trial

Civil Society Organizations has demanded swift judgment following the conclusion of Auditor General’s Tribunal.

Three months following the conclusion of the tribunal, which was set up to investigate the Auditor-General and one of her Deputies, civil society organizations (CSOs) are urgently calling for the tribunal’s decision to be delivered as Sierra Leoneans are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the legal proceedings.

The undersigned organizations, including the Budget Advocacy Network, the 50/50 Group, the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAI), and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists. (SLAJ), join together in urging the Tribunal to fulfill its duty and provide its decision, as the matter has been concluded and awaiting a decision since December 22, 2023.

Lara Taylor-Pearce (Auditor General) and Tamba Momoh (Deputy Auditor General) were suspended in early November 2021 on allegations of ‘professional misconduct. The tribunal reviewed charges around breach of confidentiality and professional misconduct relating to the contact of a third party without the client’s expressed permission (Office of the President). The specific concern was that ‘the Auditor General contacted a hotel in Lebanon to confirm the authenticity of a receipt that was submitted for audit without the expressed permission of the Office of the President’

The CSO reminded the interpreters of the law Section 23(6) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, Act No.6 of 1991, stipulates that judgment should be delivered in critical cases within three months after trial. While this is not a criminal case, the expectation of timely justice remains paramount. The prolonged delay in delivering judgment on this matter is of grave concern to CSOs, media, and citizens alike. Any further delay risks undermining the pursuit of justice and accountability.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. In this case, the outcome holds significant implications for Accountability and transparency in Sierra Leone,” emphasizes Abu A. Brima, Executive Committee Chairman of the Budget Advocacy Network.

Therefore, they urge the Tribunal to expedite the delivery of judgment on the concluded tribunal without further delay. The integrity of our legal system and the principles of accountability and transparency depend on it