ACC CONDONES CORRUPTION
By: Christian Conteh
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has once again sparked public outrage with its recent decision not to prosecute high-ranking government officials despite clear evidence of corruption. In a press statement dated June 14, 2024, the ACC announced the conclusion of its investigation into allegations of corruption against the Clerk of Parliament, Hon. Umar Paran Tarawally, and his wife, Mrs. Abibatu Parana Tarawally.
The investigation began in January 2024 after accusations emerged that Hon. Umar Paran Tarawally had improperly employed his wife. Mrs. Tarawally received salaries and other allowances from September 2021 to March 2023 without performing any work. The ACC’s findings confirmed that Mrs. Tarawally, employed as a Human Resource Officer, received a total of 156,422 Leones over 19 months, despite only working for a few days before leaving for medical treatment abroad.
Although Mrs. Tarawally has repaid the total amount and agreed to a settlement, the ACC’s decision not to pursue legal action against her or her husband has led to widespread disappointment. Hon. Tarawally denied involvement in his wife’s employment, a claim the ACC found implausible, noting his failure in supervisory duties as Clerk of Parliament.
Despite these findings, the ACC concluded that the matter did not meet the prosecutorial threshold, referring Hon. Tarawally to the President for administrative action instead. Mrs. Tarawally was asked to pay a 10% interest on the amount received, totaling an additional 15,642 Leones, and has been barred from holding public office for at least five years.
This decision has been met with strong criticism from the public, who view it as another instance of the ACC shielding members of the ruling class from accountability. Many Sierra Leoneans recall similar dissatisfaction with the ACC’s handling of the case involving former Education Minister Alpha Timbo, who faced no prosecution despite the disappearance of 49,000 bags of rice meant for the school feeding program.
The repeated failures to prosecute top government officials amidst clear evidence of corruption have led to growing frustration and distrust in the ACC’s ability to hold the powerful accountable, further eroding public confidence in the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone.
