By Sulaiman Aruna Sesay
The recent news that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has concluded its investigation into allegations of corruption against the Clerk of Parliament, Hon. Umar Paran Tarawally, and his wife, Mrs. Abibatu Parana Tarawally, has sent shockwaves through the country. The revelation that individuals of such prominence and responsibility might have been involved in corruption is a deeply concerning one.
In January 2024, ACC commenced investigation for an allegation against the Clerk and his wife that linked to the improperly employment of the Clerk’s wife and embezzlement of public funds from September 2021 to March 2023 that left everyone waiting on the ACC findings.
Concerning Hon. Umar P. Tarawally, the investigation established that, while he denies playing any role in his wife’s employment, it is implausible that he was not aware of same. He therefore failed in his supervisory responsibilities as Clerk albeit that the matter did not meet the prosecutorial threshold for an indictment to be preferred. Hon. Umar Paran Tarawally has therefore been referred to the President for appropriate administrative action.
In a recently published press release from ACC, they confirmed that Mr. Paran Tarawally’s wife benefited from salaries and other allowances in capacity of Human Resource (HR) officer from September, 2021 to March, 2023 which is a period of nineteen months. The press release also indicated that, Mrs. Tarawally’s net salary per month for the said period was Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy-six Leones (Le7,676). The findings also stated, Mrs Tarawalley admitted to have been employed as a replacement staff sometime in November, 2021, worked for only a few days and fell ill, which warranted her to travel out of the country for medical attention. ACC revealed that, She received salaries and allowances for a period of 19 months in total, amounting to One Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-two Leones (Le 156,422).
In connection to the above findings, ACC outlined recommendations in the press release. ACC recommended that, Mrs. Abibatu Parana Tarawally having refunded the full amount that was paid to her during the period in question and having consented to a settlement of the matter pursuant to Section 89 (1) (b)(i)(ii) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 (as amended in 2019) must: Mrs. Tarawally, also pay an interest of 10% on the said sum amounting to Fifteen Thousand Six Hundred and Forty-two Leones (Le 15,642), Is precluded from holding public office for a period not less than five years, as provided for in Section 89 Subsection (1)(b)(i)(ii) of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 (as amended in 2019).
In addition, the Corruption Prevention Department of the ACC will work with the Office of the Clerk of Parliament and the Human Resources Department of the Parliamentary Service Commission to help strengthen and establish efficient systems and processes that will prevent such administrative anomalies from recurring.
