By Alhaji Haruna Sani
Hon. Tawa don Tawa against ACC Francis Ben Kaifala
The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, has firmly reminded the Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala, to respect the constitutional boundaries regarding the Auditor General’s Report.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Democracy 98.1’s Gud Mornin Salone talk show, Hon. Tawa underscored that the constitution vests sole authority to review and act on the Auditor General’s Report in Parliament, not the ACC.
“It is the prerogative of Parliament under Section 108(8) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No. 6 to examine the Auditor General’s Report. No ministry, department, or agency should approach the ACC regarding this report unless Parliament refers the matter,” Tawa stated.
He emphasized that the ACC Commissioner should “advise himself accordingly” and ceases attempts to overreach his mandate, adding that former ACC Commissioner Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara wisely avoided similar disputes during his tenure. Hon. Tawa further clarified that while the ACC plays a vital role in combating corruption, the Auditor General’s Report is an extension of Parliament and must be handled exclusively by the PAC.
Hon. Tawa detailed the PAC’s constitutional and procedural mandates as stipulated in Section 94(1) of the Constitution and Standing Orders (SOs) 70 and 76 provisions which tasked the PAC for reviewing the Auditor General’s Report and presenting its findings to Parliament.
He said the PAC is also taxed to examined the accounts of government boards, commissions, and agencies, ensure compliance with financial regulations and recovering evaded taxes.
Tawa assured the public that the PAC would thoroughly review the 2021/2022 Auditor General’s Report and enforce accountability by ordering reversals and repayments of unpaid taxes where necessary.
Prior to the ongoing fiasco with the PAC of parliament, the ACC Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala, had been facing criticism for allegedly targeting opposition figures while sparing members of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). Notably, he was accused of interfering in the Sierra Leone Bar Association elections in Kenema to favor Tuma Adama Jabbie, a known SLPP supporter, an allegation supported by video evidence.
Those controversies raised public concerns about the impartiality of the ACC under Kaifala’s leadership.
Tawa noted that the ACC’s credibility depends on its adherence to its mandate and warned against further overreach into the Auditor General’s Report.
Hon. Tawa urged citizens to trust the PAC’s processes, highlighting its transparency and commitment to public accountability. He noted, the PAC does not request a percentage of recoveries made from public officials, nor does it maintain a separate account for recovered funds, hypothetically suggesting the ACC does such.
The Deputy Speaker assured the public that the PAC would continue to operate diligently, free from political interference, to ensure accountability across government institutions. He encouraged the ACC to focus on its constitutional duties and allow Parliament to exercise its authority over the Auditor General’s findings.
As Sierra Leone grapples with corruption challenges, the debate over the boundaries of institutional mandates underscores the importance of strict adherence to constitutional provisions for the sake of good governance and public trust.
