Freetown, Sierra Leone (PANA) – As the controversy generated by the Auditor-General’s report on alleged corruption in the disbursement of the Ebola funds in Sierra Leone, a ruling party MP has warned journalists against “premature publication and opinion” on the report.
Hon. Ibrahim Bundu, who is the Majority Leader of the House, said journalists, particularly radio station managers, would be charged with contempt of parliament if they allow public discussions on the report, which shows that about US$14 million in Ebola funds are unaccounted for.
He called on radio station managers to go strictly with the law or be held responsible for statements or opinions that are deemed prejudicial to individuals or institutions named in the report as having defaulted.
Contempt of Parliament, like Contempt of Court, may carry a jail term under the Sierra Leonean law.
The Sierra Leonean parliament began debate on the audit report on Tuesday.
Since the report was made public last week, the media have been feasting on it.
The MP’s warning, which came in form of a motion that was overwhelmingly supported by both sides in the House, is viewed as an attempt to silence the media.
The report also said funds were dished out to individuals and institutions without proper documentations like receipts, invoices or contract agreements, and made other damning revelation of reckless misuse of public funds by government officials under the guise of Public Health Emergency.
Sierra Leone is one of the three West African countries worst hit by the Ebola crisis that has killed almost 10,000 people, mostly in the country as well as in Guinea and Liberia.
