John Kelly Marah
Parliament has approved the appointment of Mr. Abdul Aziz as Auditor General of Audit Service Sierra Leone, along with nine other Presidential nominees, following the presentation of the Fourteenth Report of the Committee on Appointments and Public Service, chaired by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma. The approval came on Thursday, July 17, 2025, after a comprehensive debate in the Well of Parliament.
List of Approved Presidential Nominees:
1. Mrs. Francess Aina Mildred Nyuma – Executive Director, National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Centre
2. Mr. David Fortune – Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs
3. Mr. Paul Hingha Augustine Charles Tucker – Deputy Minister, Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation
4. Mr. Alex Pat Labib Saffa – Electoral Commissioner for the East
5. Mr. Abdul Aziz – Auditor General, Audit Service Sierra Leone
6. Mr. Alfred Wonneh Basith Sama – Deputy Governor, Bank of Sierra Leone
7. Dr. Michael Johnny – Chairman, Board of Trustees, NASSIT
8. PC Amy Tator Kallon Tibbie II – Member, Board of Directors, SALWACO
9. Ms. Sally Yeama Myers – Member, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank
10. Mrs. Nancy Veronica Ann Smart – Member, Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion
Presenting the nominees to Parliament, Deputy Leader of Government Business Hon. Bashiru Silikie said they were interviewed on oath, with attention to qualifications, experience, asset declaration, tax obligations, and their visions for the roles.
He emphasized that the report represented the unanimous view of the Appointments Committee.
Seconding the motion, Deputy Leader 2, Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina, described the appointments as a reflection of President Bio’s commitment to strengthening democratic governance and promoting gender inclusion. He urged the appointees, especially deputy ministers, to be team players and work collaboratively to drive national development.
Opposition Weighs In
Opposition Chief Whip Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara praised the Auditor General nominee, Mr. Aziz, for his professionalism and integrity, noting that “his track record in auditing public institutions is commendable.” He also highlighted the critical role of the National Early Warning Centre and called for greater attention to disaster prevention.
However, concerns were raised over the appointment of Mr. Alex Pat Labib Saffa as Electoral Commissioner for the East. Hon. Abdul Kargbo, reading from the opposition’s position paper, cited Section 32(3) of the 1991 Constitution, arguing that the President failed to consult the All People’s Congress (APC) before making the nomination, thereby violating the law. He urged Parliament to withhold approval for that particular nominee while endorsing the rest.
Government Response
In his closing remarks, Hon. Bashiru Silikie responded that consultation letters were indeed sent to all political parties, including the APC leadership. He clarified that the nominee for the Eastern Electoral Commission position was not a public officer, having served previously on a contract basis at ECSL, which exempts him from the constitutional restrictions cited by the opposition.
Hon. Silikie commended all appointees, particularly Mr. Aziz, encouraging him to continue upholding accountability and transparency across public institutions. He concluded by urging the new appointees to serve the nation with diligence, impartiality, and professionalism.
Mr. Abdul Aziz’s appointment as Auditor General is seen as a pivotal step toward restoring public confidence in the audit process and promoting fiscal discipline across government entities.
