A major scandal has erupted within Somalia’s judicial system after the Office of the Auditor General of Somalia (OAGS) revealed that the nation’s top courts, including the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and the Banadir Regional Court, deliberately obstructed a critical compliance audit.
The OAGS, in its official press release, disclosed that audit engagement letters were sent to the courts on January 25, 2025, as part of the Annual Overall Audit Plan (AOAP) for the 2024 financial year. Shockingly, all three courts failed to acknowledge receipt, despite multiple follow-ups attempts via emails, direct phone calls, and personal delivery by senior OAGS officials.
The refusal to cooperate with the OAGS has sparked outrage, particularly after the Records Officer of the Supreme Court revealed that he was under orders from higher authorities to reject any correspondence from the Auditor General. This blatant obstruction was traced directly to the Chief Justice, who has been accused of deliberately blocking transparency and accountability efforts.
The OAGS escalated the matter to the highest levels of government on February 11, 2025, notifying the President, the Speakers of Parliament, and the Prime Minister. The notification, also copied to key government figures, highlighted how the Chief Justice’s interference is impeding efforts to uphold the rule of law and ensure public accountability.
The audit was launched following alarming findings of financial mismanagement and corruption within the judiciary. Recent cases include the arrest of a officials from the court and several judicial clerks in 2023 for misappropriation of public assets, and a 2024 report exposing the Waaberi District Court for depositing $21,922.26 into an unauthorized bank account outside the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system.
Furthermore, the judiciary’s continued resistance to oversight follows a history of non-compliance. A 2021 compliance audit had already flagged serious legal violations within the Supreme Court, yet no corrective actions have been taken since.
Legal and governance experts have condemned the judiciary’s behaviour, warning that the refusal to submit to audit procedures signals a severe breakdown in accountability and transparency. “The judiciary’s defiance undermines public trust in Somalia’s justice system. No institution should be above scrutiny,” remarked a senior legal analyst.
The OAGS has called for urgent intervention from national leaders, urging them to confront the judiciary’s defiance and ensure full compliance with audit protocols. “The rule of law and public confidence in the justice system are at stake,” the OAGS stated.
This scandal marks a critical moment for Somalia’s governance, as public pressure mounts for reforms to curb corruption and restore integrity within the nation’s highest courts.
