It was expected by the entire nation that, Parliament would have yesterday, Thursday October 11th, commenced debate on the three constitutional instruments laid in the well by the deputy Attorney General that seek to legitimize the setting up of a Commission of Inquiry, that will look into the activities of the former President Koroma led APC government.

Several government officials in the former President Koroma regime accused of grand corruption by the SLPP Government Transition Team Report are expected to appear before the Commission of Inquiry
Surprisingly, Speaker of the House, Hon. Dr. Abass Bundu, who had earlier announced that, he was now disposed to permit debate on the instruments, said no Member of Parliament had raised the motion for a debate.

The counting of the 21 days required for the instruments to mature before automatically becoming law started on October 2nd and ends on October 23rd.

The main opposition APC had opposed the speaker not allowing debate on the instruments when they were laid before the house in early August. It therefore comes as a surprise that, with the floor open for debate, APC MPs did not take advantage of the opportunity to register their concerns for public hearing.

It could be recalled that, Hon. Daniel B. Koroma called the Speakers’ attention citing Standing Order 18 (8) and Section 170 sub-section 7 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone of his intention to file a Notice of Motion for the two instruments to be debated.

The Speaker, Hon. Chernor Abass Bundu, ruled against the Honourable, stating that, he cited the wrong Standing Order in referencing his submission.
Meanwhile, the Clerk of Parliament, Hon. Paran Tarwally has said that, he too is not averse to debate of the constitutional instruments.