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Former Anti-Corruption Commissioner Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara of the All People’s Congress (APC) has accused Parliament of overstepping its boundaries in handling the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Audit Report.
Speaking in an interview with Radio Democracy, Kamara asserted that Parliament’s actions encroach upon the constitutional roles of governance.
Reflecting on his tenure as ACC Commissioner, Kamara noted that similar issues arose during his time, primarily stemming from a lack of understanding of the constitution and the role of Parliament. He emphasized that Parliament’s primary function is to legislate, adding that all other parliamentary duties derive from this core responsibility. “Members of Parliament are representatives of the people; they are not there for themselves,” he stated.
Kamara further elaborated on the oversight function of Parliament, clarifying that it serves as a supervisory mechanism rather than an executive body. He stressed that the Executive branch is responsible for implementing government policies, and any attempt by Parliament to do so creates a conflict of roles. “In Sierra Leone, we have a separation of powers. Parliament makes laws, the Executive implements them, and in cases of conflict, we must return to these core functions,” he explained.
In his final remarks, Kamara urged Parliament to provide the ACC with the necessary resources to conduct immediate investigations rather than interfering in the Commission’s mandate. He maintained that empowering the ACC is crucial in ensuring accountability and upholding the rule of law in Sierra Leone.
