State House, Freetown, Wednesday 12 June 2024 – His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has received a booklet containing the report, which includes the facts, findings, and recommendations from the Tribunal to investigate the former Auditor-General, Mrs. Lara Taylor-Pearce and Deputy Auditor-General, Tamba Momoh.
Chairperson of the Tribunal, Honourable Justice Nyawo Finda Matturi-Jones, JSC Retired, expressed gratitude for serving on the committee. She emphasized that this instance marked an executive compliance with Subsection 9 of Section 119 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No. 6 of 1991.
“Your Excellency,” she stated, “your decision was probably the most democratic of the options open to you under the Constitution regarding the disciplining of your appointees. It could not be a witch-hunt as initially perceived and declared by some. We were guaranteed judicial independence so we felt free to investigate the alleged conduct before us impartially and according to our assessment of the facts and understanding of the relevant laws without any restrictions.”
Justice Matturi-Jones commended President Bio for demonstrating profound respect for judicial objectivity and impartiality during these investigations. “By this guarantee,” she continued, “you demonstrated a profound respect for judicial objectivity and impartiality as core values of the investigations by this tribunal. My colleagues and I commend you for respecting rule of law and right to be heard.”
She noted that President Bio maintained a monitoring role over the Auditor-General with assistance from his cabinet under Sub-Section 7 of Section 119. Establishing this tribunal was deemed by her as "the most democratic" option available concerning appointment powers.
President Julius Maada Bio thanked the committee on behalf of Sierra Leone’s government and people for their work on what he described as a challenging task executed exceptionally well. He stressed that despite significant pressures on this process, it was crucial for legal practitioners to ensure adherence to constitutional provisions.
President Bio expressed hope that both spirit and intent of law had been followed throughout these proceedings: “On behalf of the state,” he reiterated, “I want to thank you immensely for doing such an exceptional job. We will take necessary steps with this document to make sure we come to a logical conclusion on this matter.”
For more inquiries: State House Media and Communications Unit
info@statehouse.gov.sl
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