The Office of the Ombudsman has been plunged into crisis following a series of allegations from staff members and leaked meeting minutes obtained by this newspaper, accusing Chairman Cllr. Finley Y. Karngar of corruption, nepotism, and serious administrative mismanagement
Leaked documents and internal meeting minutes reviewed by this paper reveal escalating tensions within the institution, with staff pointing to widespread dysfunction that has rendered the office nearly inoperable.
At the center of the storm is the contested office building in Congo Town, reportedly owned by one of Karngar’s close allies, Cllr. Idrisa Kamara.
According to staff, the building is overcrowded and unsuitable for professional use, forcing many employees to work from corridors and common areas.
In a staff meeting, 13 of 14 attendees voted to relocate to a more functional space, with Karngar being the sole dissenter.
Staff members allege that he is financially benefiting from the current lease, allegedly receiving a 10% kickback from the monthly rent.
Attempts to secure a new office have reportedly been blocked through interference with the General Services Agency (GSA), where officials allegedly demanded a $12,000 bribe from a prospective landlord, a demand that was rejected, stalling the relocation process.
Despite the appointment of an Executive Director (ED) to manage daily operations, Chairman Karngar has allegedly refused to relinquish control over procurement and administrative processes.
Staff members claim he has withheld access to critical documents and maintains exclusive signatory power, undermining the role of the ED.
Additionally, there are concerns surrounding a $3,000 annual allocation for electricity. Follow-ups with the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) reportedly showed that only $1,200 was received, leaving the office without power for over a week and severely impacting operations.
Hiring Delays and Staff Welfare Concerns
Multiple vacant positions, including investigators, receptionists, and accountants, have gone unfilled for months. Staff report that recruitment exercises were repeatedly cancelled by the Chairman, often due to his absence, even though his involvement was not procedurally necessary.
Staff welfare is also reportedly being neglected. Employees were denied the traditional July 26 holiday gifts- a benefit guaranteed in the office’s internal handbook.
Meanwhile, working conditions continue to deteriorate due to persistent power outages and unreliable internet access.
Allegations of Favoritism and Past Misconduct
Sources within the office allege that Karngar is attempting to bypass internal promotion procedures to appoint external candidates of his choosing, further eroding staff morale.
They also claim he is positioning critical departments, such as Programs, directly under his personal control rather than allowing them to function under the institution’s structure.
The allegations extend beyond his current role. Staffs are calling for investigations into Karngar’s past conduct during his tenure at the Liberia Bar Association, YMCA, and in USAID-funded programs, where he is accused of mismanaging significant funds, including a purported $50,000 discrepancy during his time as Program Officer.
Calls for Investigation and Institutional Reform
Employees have formally appealed to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the GSA to launch an independent investigation into the affairs of the Ombudsman’s Office.
The Ministry of State and senior government officials have reportedly advised Karngar to work collaboratively with other commissioners, but staff say those recommendations have been ignored.
With a workforce of only 20, many staff are either idle or performing multiple roles due to hiring delays. The office has no visible signage, and planned awareness campaigns remain unfunded despite an approved budget.
A Plea for Transparency
Frustrated staffs are now urging the media, civil society, and international partners to visit the premises and observe firsthand the dire conditions under which the Ombudsman’s Office is currently operating.
As allegations continue to mount, the credibility of the institution, tasked with promoting accountability and good governance, hangs in the balance.
However, multiple efforts were made via WhatsApp messages and calls to have Cllr. Karngar response to these allegations but to no avail.
