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In a contentious session marked by intense debate, Sierra Leone’s Parliament voted today to remove Auditor-General Lara Taylor-Pearce and her deputy, Tamba Momoh, from their positions.
With a decisive two-thirds majority of 100 votes from 136 members present, the ruling has sparked significant political tension.
Speaker of Parliament, Hon Solomon Segepoh Thomas, delivered a critical ruling on voting procedures, asserting that the required two-thirds majority would be based solely on Members of Parliament (MPs) physically present in the chamber. The decision, rooted in the parliamentary standing orders, effectively tilted the scales in favor of the ruling party, as opposition MPs lacked the numbers to counter the motion.
The Leader of the Opposition challenged the ruling, arguing that it undermined broader parliamentary representation. However, Speaker Thomas upheld his decision, citing legal precedence and legislative guidelines. “The laws governing our functions are clear, and this process adheres strictly to those stipulations,” he stated.
The vote concluded under these parameters, sealing the fate of Taylor-Pearce and Momoh, who had faced scrutiny in recent years over their auditing activities. Critics of the move have called it a politically motivated dismissal, warning of its implications for governance and transparency in Sierra Leone.
Supporters of the decision argue it is necessary to restore accountability and public trust in the auditing institution. With this ruling, the government is expected to appoint new leadership to the Audit Service Sierra Leone, a move that will likely continue to stir public and political debate in the weeks ahead.
