Parliament Removes Auditor-General and Deputy in Landmark Vote

December 24, 2024

In a heated session marked by intense deliberations, Sierra Leone’s Parliament has voted to remove Auditor-General Lara Taylor-Pearce and her deputy, Tamba Momoh, from their positions.

The decision, made with a two-thirds majority of 100 votes out of 136 members present, has sparked widespread political controversy.

Speaker of Parliament Hon. Solomon Segepoh Thomas clarified that the required two-thirds majority was determined based on the number of Members of Parliament physically present during the session. This interpretation of parliamentary standing orders favored the ruling party, as the opposition lacked sufficient numbers to block the motion.

The opposition leader objected, arguing that the decision undermined broader parliamentary representation. However, the Speaker defended his ruling, stating it was consistent with legal and legislative guidelines.

The ousting follows years of scrutiny surrounding the activities of Taylor-Pearce and Momoh. Critics have labeled the move as politically motivated, warning it could undermine governance and transparency. Supporters, however, argue that the decision was necessary to restore accountability and rebuild trust in the Audit Service Sierra Leone.

The government is expected to appoint new leadership to the auditing body, a move likely to fuel ongoing public and political debates in the coming weeks.