The 2020 statutory Audit Report from the Sierra Leone Audit Services has finally been tabled before Parliament. Snippets of the report obtained by the media show more callous economic crimes committed by the Sierra Leone People’s Party ( SLPP ) government of President Maada Bio, which confirmed speculations about why the President initially tried to suppress the report and why he suspended the auditor general and her deputy.
According to the audit report, a whopping sum of over Le 140 billion Leones ($14 million) is missing! And there are also over 90% of estimated cash losses
*Prior to 2018: $1,016,427 ( Le 10.2 billion ) in cash loses *
*2018 to date: $14,375,266. ( Le 143.8 billion Leone’s )
Cocorioko will serialize the audit report .
Today, we bring you the auditor ‘s report on the trip made to Lebanon in 2020 by President Maada Bio and his wife , Fatima Bio , during which time the president’s whereabouts were unknown until his wife announced on social media two weeks later that they had been on honeymoon ( A blatant lie and cover-up as it was found out later because Bio had actually gone to Lebanon to seek medical treatment for a serious ailment ).
The audit report showed that President Bio and his wife engaged in questionable financial activities during the trip that robbed the nation of thousands of dollars.
Auditor’s Comment on President Bio and First Lady Overseas Traveling Expenses to Lebanon:
- We noted management’s response regarding the circumstances that led to the selection of the company to provide private jet services. In the absence of a clear and detailed procurement process, we conclude that it’s reasonable to enquire why a company whose main business is wholesale of pharmaceuticals, toiletries, household goods and chemist, was selected to provide private jet hiring services. We therefore conclude that this matter remains unresolved.
- “Original” receipts all with dates in September 2020, to support total payment of US$352,481.77 for hotel accommodation and medical treatment was presented during the audit verification exercise. We however concluded that one of the retirement receipts of US$156,113.73 for hotel accommodation dated 18th September 2020, was marred by discrepancies, inaccuracies and inconsistencies. It was also disputed by the concerned third party, whose record show that the bill remains outstanding.
In view of such discrepancies and dispute, the matter still stands and the amount of US$156,113.73 should be refunded by the payee, the State Chief of Protocol. .
We noted that hospital bills to the value of US$170,489.04 were settled in cash at the hospital in question. The audit concludes that although the amounts had been paid and supporting documents provided, in the interest of transparency, good public financial management practice, and exemplary anti-money laundry reasons, we are of the opinion that such a settlement should have been done through a bank transfer.
