By Stephen V. Lansana
The leader of the main opposition in Parliament has urged the Clerk of Parliament, Hon. Paran Umar Tarawally to step aside following the commencement of investigation into corruption allegations against him and his wife Mrs. Abibatu Tarawally by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Hon. Tarawally is being investigated for employing his wife as a ghost worker of Parliament enabling her to collect salaries while living in America.
Hon. Abdul Karbgo said, “I am shocked at the revelations of abuse of office by the Clerk of Parliament. The repayment at Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) indicates an admission of guilt.” “To preserve the sanctity of parliament and to spare the House from further embarrassment, I ask that he [Clerk of Parliament] steps aside to allow the ACC to conclude its work,” he posted in his X-account.
He said that the Clerk of Parliament should step aside to prevent him from influencing the investigation.
According to ACC, the Commission is investigating allegations that the Clerk of Parliament employed his wife without due process, and she has not been reporting for duties but received salaries.
This raises serious questions of Conflict of Interest and abuse of position by the Clerk of Parliament.
“While investigations continue, as a condition of her bail [at the ACC], Mrs Abibatu Tarawally returned the sum of One Hundred and Thirty Thousand (New) Leones (Le 131,000) from the One Hundred and Fifty-Six Thousand (New) leones (Le156, 000) she received as Salary for the 17 months she was on payroll, according to records obtained from the Account-General,” the Commission said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Hon. Paran Umar Tarawally and Mrs Abibatu Tarawally are on bail pending further investigation into the matter.