Parliament warns the Anti-Corruption Commissioner to stop interfering with the Auditor General’s report.

In a recent press conference held by the Anti-Corruption Commission, the ACC commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala, recognises the constitutional role of the Public Account Committee in holding MDAs accountable for corruption, emphasising the PAC’s impact in the audit reports over the years. However, during the conference, the ACC boss emphasises the commission’s commitment towards probing into the 2023 Audit Reports and holding individuals and institutions accountable for misappropriation and embezzlement of public funds.

In light of this, through a press release dated January 10, 2025, Parliament of Sierra Leone cautions Francis Ben Kaifala, the Anti-Corruption Commissioner, not to interfere with the 2023 Auditor General’s Report. Parliament claims that as mandated by law, the report is still under parliamentary scrutiny and review and it is outside the purview of the ACC to address it.

The press release also referenced section 119 (4) of Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution Act No. 6 of 1991, which outlines the Parliament’s responsibility to handling audit reports as presented by the Auditor General. He emphasizes that Parliament has the monopoly to hear and determine matters found within the report and adds that Parliament has no shared responsibilities with any other institutions relating to the audit report.

Parliament further stated that the report is the property of Parliament, and that any anomalies discovered within the report can be probed into and, if necessary, can be assigned to the ACC for further investigation and prosecution.

In conclusion, the release reiterates the parliamentary Public Account Committee’s authority to investigate and hold public hearings on any issue raised in the Auditor General’s report.