Parliament Fires Back at ACC
The Parliament of Sierra Leone has addressed the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) regarding the handling of the Auditor General’s Report, emphasizing its constitutional role as the sole custodian of the report.
In a letter dated January 10, 2025, and signed by the Office of the Clerk of Parliament, the legislative body highlighted Section 119(4) of the 1991 Constitution, which mandates the Auditor General to submit reports exclusively to Parliament within twelve months of the end of each financial year. Parliament also underscored its responsibility to scrutinize the report and investigate irregularities through its Standing Order SO 70, which assigns the Public Account Committee to lead hearings and further inquiries.
The letter comes in response to remarks made by the ACC during a press conference and on local media, where the commission hinted at its involvement in matters arising from the Auditor General’s findings. Parliament firmly stated that the report is its property and that neither the ACC nor any other accountability body has jurisdiction over its content unless referred by Parliament.
“It is worth emphasizing that the audit report does not have shared responsibility; it is the property of Parliament,” the statement read. The legislative body further clarified that the ACC’s powers to prosecute and recover funds can only be activated after Parliament has deliberated on the report and identified cases warranting further action.
Parliament called for adherence to proper protocols, expressing concerns over any misrepresentation of its mandate in public discussions. It reiterated that irregularities identified in the report should first undergo scrutiny by the Public Account Committee before any referrals to the ACC or other bodies are made.
This clarification underscores the Parliament’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and proper procedure in addressing the findings of the Auditor General’s Report, ensuring that its constitutional role in governance remains unchallenged.
