By Mackie M. Jalloh
The Tribunal report on Sierra Leone’s Auditor-General and Deputy Auditor-General has become a focal point of public discussion, with significant implications for the nation’s governance and accountability. The report, led by Hon. Mrs. Justice Nyawo Matturi Jones JSC (Rtd), reveals serious allegations of misconduct, unethical behavior, and conflicts of interest within the Audit Service Sierra Leone, raising concerns about the integrity of its operations.
The report highlights a troubling inconsistency in the auditing practices under the Auditor-General’s leadership. While the Auditor-General and her Deputy rigorously audited the Office of the President, allegedly breaching confidentiality protocols, they obstructed the auditing of the Transform Freetown projects led by Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr. The Tribunal’s findings suggest that this selective scrutiny points to potential bias and double standards, raising accusations of “witch-hunting” against the President’s office.
Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh, responding to the report, expressed deep concern over the findings, particularly regarding the improper and unethical conduct of the Auditor-General. He criticized the alteration of final draft audit reports after exit interviews without consulting auditors or auditees, a practice he described as gross misconduct. This action, detailed in the report, allegedly targeted the Office of the President, undermining the credibility of the audit process.
The Tribunal also uncovered a significant conflict of interest involving the Deputy Auditor-General, who was found to be leading a private firm providing audit services to other public institutions while still in active service. The report criticizes the Auditor-General for allowing this situation to continue, pointing to a failure of leadership that compromised the integrity of the Audit Service.
The Tribunal’s recommendations focus on addressing these issues and restoring public trust in the Audit Service. The second recommendation calls for the removal of the Deputy Auditor-General by the Audit Service Board Sierra Leone, noting that a resignation letter submitted during the Tribunal proceedings could not be accepted due to the ongoing investigation.
The third recommendation urges the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate both the Auditor-General and her Deputy for their conduct during the 2020 audit, particularly their handling of the Office of the President and the Freetown City Council. The report links the Transform Freetown project to repeated allegations of corruption, underscoring the need for a thorough investigation.
Finally, the Tribunal recommends a constitutional review to strengthen the mechanisms for monitoring and disciplining the Auditor-General. The Chief Minister, involved in the ongoing constitutional review process, emphasized the importance of this recommendation to prevent future instances of misconduct.
Overall, the Tribunal report and the Chief Minister’s response underscore the need for decisive action to address the issues within the Audit Service Sierra Leone. As the government moves to implement the recommendations, the focus will be on restoring public confidence in the country’s governance institutions and ensuring that accountability and transparency are upheld at all levels.
