By Foday Moriba Conteh
In January 2024, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) announced an investigation into allegations that Hon. Umar Paran Tarawally, Clerk of Parliament, had improperly employed his wife, Abibatu Parana Tarawally. The investigation revealed that Abibatu Tarawally received salaries and allowances from September 2021 to March 2023 without performing the corresponding work.
Key findings of the investigation include:
1. Abibatu Parana Tarawally was employed as a Human Resource (HR) Officer and received salaries and allowances from September 2021 to March 2023.
2. Her monthly net salary during this period was 7,676 Leones.
3. Abibatu Tarawally admitted to being employed as a replacement staff in November 2021, but fell ill shortly after and left the country for medical treatment.
4. She received a total of 156,422 Leones in salaries and allowances over 19 months.
The sum of 156,422 Leones has been recovered from Abibatu Tarawally and paid into the ACC Recovery Account. Although Hon. Umar P. Tarawally denies involvement in his wife’s employment, the investigation deemed it implausible that he was unaware. He has been referred to the President for appropriate administrative action, as his oversight did not meet the threshold for prosecution.
Abibatu Parana Tarawally, having refunded the full amount, must also:
1. Pay an interest of 15,642 Leones on the refunded sum.
2. Be precluded from holding public office for at least five years, as stipulated in Section 89(1)(b)(i)(ii) of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 (as amended in 2019).
The ACC said it will collaborate with the Clerk of Parliament and the Human Resources Department of the Parliamentary Service Commission to strengthen administrative systems and prevent future anomalies. The Commission appreciates the support from Parliament, the Parliamentary Service Commission, the Accountant General’s Department, and the Ministry of Finance, as well as the public’s patience during the investigation.
