Auditor-General Responds to Tribunal Report, Raises Concerns Over Findings and Process
The Tribunal’s interpretation of these drafts as separate reports reflects a lack of understanding of standard audit procedures. She described the Tribunal's fundamental misunderstanding of the audit processes within the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL). The Tribunal claimed two separate reports were prepared for the same audit, a conclusion Taylor-Pearce refuted as misleading. She explained that draft reports are typically prepared by audit teams and reviewed by the Deputy Auditor-General before the final report is signed off.
Article by @sierraeyesalone
The Tribunal’s interpretation of these drafts as separate reports reflects a lack of understanding of standard audit procedures.
Mrs. Lara Taylor-Pearce
She described the Tribunal's fundamental misunderstanding of the audit processes within the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL). The Tribunal claimed two separate reports were prepared for the same audit, a conclusion Taylor-Pearce refuted as misleading. She explained that draft reports are typically prepared by audit teams and reviewed by the Deputy Auditor-General before the final report is signed off.
Article by @sierraeyesaloneIn a detailed statement dated September 3, 2024, suspended Auditor-General Mrs. Lara Taylor-Pearce has raised significant concerns regarding the findings of the Tribunal that investigated her and former Deputy Auditor-General, Mr. Tamba Momoh. The report, which was circulated on social media on August 29, 2024, has prompted Mrs. Taylor-Pearce to clarify several key points related to the audit process and the Tribunal's conclusions.
Mrs. Taylor-Pearce expressed surprise and disappointment over the Tribunal's handling of the evidence and the conclusions drawn. She highlighted that the audit of the Office of the President was a compliance audit, not a financial statement audit, and that the third-party confirmations referenced by the Tribunal were misapplied. According to Taylor-Pearce, the standards for compliance audits differ from those for financial audits, a distinction that the Tribunal seemingly failed to appreciate.
She pointed out that the Tribunal preferred the testimony of a state witness, despite the lack of supporting evidence or regulatory basis for his assertions. In contrast, the Tribunal dismissed the testimony of an international public sector audit expert, whose credentials and experience far exceeded those of the state’s witnesses. This expert's testimony, which was central to the defense, was largely ignored in the Tribunal’s final report.
Mrs. Taylor-Pearce also addressed what she described as a fundamental misunderstanding by the Tribunal of the audit processes within the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL). The Tribunal claimed there were two separate reports prepared for the same audit, a conclusion Taylor-Pearce refuted as misleading. She explained that draft reports are typically prepared by audit teams and reviewed by the Deputy Auditor-General before the final report is signed off. The Tribunal’s interpretation of these drafts as separate reports reflects a lack of understanding of standard audit procedures, she asserted.
Regarding the performance audit of the Freetown City Council (FCC), Mrs. Taylor-Pearce described the evidence presented by state witnesses as "baseless, unfounded, and untruthful." She criticized the Tribunal for accepting a narrative that contradicted the established chain of command and procedures within the ASSL, noting that the correct communication channels were bypassed in the witness testimonies.
Mrs. Taylor-Pearce addressed the Tribunal’s findings on conflict of interest and breach of confidentiality, both of which she categorically denied. She clarified that no conflict of interest existed, as she had no close or immediate family relationships with any parties involved in the audits in question. Regarding confidentiality, she explained that the third-party authentication requests were handled in accordance with professional standards, and there was no breach of confidentiality as the letters did not disclose any specific details of the auditee.
In closing, Mrs. Taylor-Pearce questioned the Tribunal’s overall conclusions, given that no direct evidence of wrongdoing or misconduct on her part was presented during the hearings. She reiterated her commitment to upholding the highest standards of public sector auditing and expressed concern that the Tribunal’s findings could undermine the future of independent public sector auditing in #SierraLeone.
Taylor-Pearce also thanked her legal team, led by Mr. Rowland S. V. Wright, as well as her colleagues, family, and supporters for their continued support throughout the process.
President Bio Spent Over Le832 Billion in 5 Years
President Bio, who once touted his anti-corruption efforts when he first took office, has proven to be the most corrupt leader in our country's history. Sierra Leoneans cannot idly stand by and allow these corrupt individuals to undermine and damage our nation.
Embrace the NEW DIRECTION—
July 18, 2024
Over US$470 million (four-hundred-seventy million United States dollars at the current exchange rate.)
“Corruption Undermines Social Development and Stymied Inclusive Economic Growth.”
President Bio, who once touted his anti-corruption efforts when he first took office, has proven to be the most corrupt leader in our country's history. Sierra Leoneans cannot idly stand by and allow these corrupt individuals to undermine and damage our nation.
Embrace the NEW DIRECTION—
Thomas Dixon on 'X' formerly TwitterIf you are wondering why the respected Auditor General Lara Taylor-Pearce and her Deputy Tamba Momoh were recommended to be removed from their position by a “Kangaroo” Tribunal, you must follow the expenses of President Bio under various names.
State House and Lodge Expenses for 5 years is almost Le400B, and then you have Expenses Office of the President, which is also a little over 400 billion.
What comes to mind is what is the difference between State House & State Lodge Expenses and that of the Expenses Office of the President???
It didn’t end there. There is what is called the special warrant office of the President, which is over Le50B.
These figures don’t include the over $28M, the Govt of President Bio spent on overseas traveling.
It could be recalled that in 2019 a Finance Act was sent to Parliament which had a clause that money to the President should be unchecked and unaudited but for the hue and cry of the people, it didn’t stand.
Sierra Leoneans are still waiting for the contended tribunal report on the Auditor General to be made public.
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Sierra Leoneans are still waiting for the contended tribunal report on the Auditor General to be made public.
Response to Press Release from State House dated Tuesday, 9th July, 2024 — Lara Taylor-Pearce(Mrs.)
Lara Taylor-Pearce(Mrs.); Former Auditor General, Sierra Leone
Response to Press Release from State House
Response to Press Release from State House dated Tuesday, 9th July, 2024 — Tamba Momoh
Tamba Momoh; Former Deputy Auditor General, Sierra Leone
Response to Press Release from State House
Many Sierra Leoneans are deeply troubled by the President's recent recommendation to remove from office the suspended Auditor General, Mrs. Lara Taylor-Pearce, and her deputy, Tamba Momoh. This decision is being widely criticized for lacking legitimacy and has ignited significant public outrage.
“Helen Clark, the former New Zealand Prime Minister, and UNDP Administrator, also the Ad Global Ambassador for Supreme Audit Institution Independence appointed by #Intosai Donor Co-operation”
Helen Clark, the former New Zealand Prime Minister, and UNDP Administrator, also the Ad Global Ambassador for Supreme Audit Institution Independence appointed by #Intosai Donor Co-operation
Helen Clark IDC Goodwill Ambassador for SAI Independence — The INTOSAI-Donor Cooperation
"I am shocked to learn that the #SierraLeone Government is moving to remove the Auditor General and Deputy Auditor General from office.
No valid reason has been given for this extraordinary move. These senior officials must have statutory independence to fulfill their important functions of holding governments to account and scrutinizing the use of public money.
These senior officials should not be subjected to arbitrary removal.
Parliament will now review the proposal to remove the AG. It should act in an independent way to review the matter, and not hesitate to oppose an unfounded request by the Government for the AG's removal. The Audit Service Board should also act independently in reviewing the proposal to remove the Deputy AG."
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