By Mohamed Macarthy
The three members of a tribunal appointed by President Julius Maada Bio to investigate the activities of the leadership of the Audit Service took their oath at State House on Monday 6 December.
Led by the retired Supreme Court Justice Nyawo Finda Matturi-Jones, they are mandated to do indepth investigations into the conduct of the Auditor General Lara Taylor-Pearce and her Deputy-Tamba Momoh on allegations of misconduct which led to their indefinite suspension from office.
The other members are Justice Ansumana Ivan Sesay and Justice Lahai M. Farma.
The Chief for the tribunal, Justice Matturri-Jones commended President Bio on behalf of her colleagues for appointing them to undertake a very critical state function, according to a State House release. She said it was a rare task to thoroughly look into the mandate of the Auditor General and her deputy following their immediate suspension recently.
She said that the investigation was a clear indication of augmenting the country’s democracy and by extension improving on the country’s credentials internationally.
Justice Maturri-Jones added that the tribunal would give adequate opportunities to the suspended public servants to clear their names on a very transparent and credible platform; adding that she and her colleagues were poised and willing to execute their functions for which they had been appointed.
She noted that the tribunal was prepared to listen to whoever and look at whatever evidence that was put before them to ensure that they analyzed the situation accordingly and applied the laws justly.
President Julius Maada Bio commended the panel for taking the “courage”
and the challenge. He added that the tribunal should do their level best in carrying out the huge task that had been assigned to them.
The president told them that their mandate was in consonant with the Constitution of Sierra Leone and it was now left with them to investigate the matter duly and come out with sound findings.
Copyright © Politico Online 08/12/21
