By Ibrahim Sesay
Parliament has endorsed the removal of Auditor General Lara Taylor-Pearce and her deputy, Tamba Momoh, following the recommendations of a tribunal. The decision, taken on December 20, 2024, has drawn significant backlash from the Lawyers’ Society, which has expressed grave concerns over the parliamentary process and adherence to constitutional mandates.
The Lawyers’ Society, in a strongly worded statement, highlighted alleged procedural irregularities surrounding the vote. They noted that several Members of Parliament were reportedly not given sufficient notice about the vote and others were out of the country on official duties at the time. The statement described these actions as a “troubling disregard” for the constitutional importance of the decision and suggested that they may have been deliberate attempts to bypass due process.
Citing Sections 119(9) and 137(7) of Sierra Leone’s Constitution, the Lawyers’ Society emphasized that the removal of the Auditor General requires a two-thirds majority of the total membership of Parliament, not just those present during the vote. The interpretation offered by the Speaker of Parliament that the two-thirds threshold applied only to members in attendance was firmly rejected by the Lawyers’ Society, which argued that it undermined the integrity of the decision-making process and cast doubt on the vote’s legitimacy.
“This apparent haste to remove the Auditor General without ensuring the necessary procedural propriety is deeply concerning,” the Lawyers’ Society stated. They further warned of the broader implications of the decision, particularly its impact on the independence of institutions tasked with holding the executive accountable.
“The Auditor General’s office, which enjoys protections similar to those of judges of the Superior Court of Judicature, plays a critical role in upholding accountability and transparency in governance. If such an office can be removed under questionable circumstances, it sets a worrying precedent for the future independence of our judiciary and other oversight institutions,” the statement added.
The Society has called on Parliament to reconsider its decision and to adhere to its established constitutional obligations. They urged citizens and civil society organizations to demand transparency and accountability from their representatives. The statement also appealed to the international community to support efforts to safeguard governance institutions and promote the rule of law in Sierra Leone.
As the controversy unfolds, the Lawyers’ Society has reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for justice, fairness and the integrity of democratic institutions. “We will continue to monitor this situation closely and take necessary actions to uphold the rule of law in Sierra Leone,” the statement concluded.
