By Danesius Marteh
Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon has called for the immediate suspension of Gbarpolu County Superintendent Sam Zinnah after his indictment by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) for alleged financial improprieties in the county but is still presiding over public funds.
The LACC indicted Zinnah on 14 August for alleged corruption as no legal action has been taken against him.
Appearing on the Prime Morning Drive on Prime FM 105.5 FM on 21 October, Senator Dillon wondered while Zinnah has not been suspended by President Joseph Nyumah Boakai.
“The executive is being proactive but it needs to step-up. The executive can’t indict, especially public official and the public official is still on the job.
“That is why I agreed with my colleague, Senator Botoe Kanneh, that once the executive has indicted the superintendent of Gbarpolu County, he should have been suspended the same day.
“And I am calling on the minister of justice to make the case because prosecution is under the domain and authority of the Ministry of Justice, unless if it is LACC that indicted him, LACC must make the case for his suspension.
“Even before LACC and Justice Ministry make a case, the fact that the man is under government indictment it means government already believes that this man has acted with financial and economic improprieties.
“He can’t be presiding over government function as a superintendent. I am demanding his suspension today. I concurred with my colleague, [Senator] Botoe Kanneh,” said Dillon.
The LACC, in an 8 September press release, announced a significant prosecutorial milestone in Gbarpolu County when the 16th Judicial Circuit Court returned a true bill on all counts of the indictment against Zinnah and several county officials and a private vendor in connection with the procurement and management of heavy-duty equipment, commonly referred to as the “yellow machines” case.
Writs of arrest were issued and served on Zinnah, Omaru Sheriff, (chief executive officer of City Lion, vendor), J. Keyah Saah, (former superintendent), Anthony Yorkor (former fiscal superintendent) and Robert Benda (former chairperson of the project management committee).
The charges stem from alleged acts of corruption and abuse of public resources related to the acquisition and handling of machinery intended for county development.
The indictment is the result of extensive investigative work by the LACC and reflects its commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in public service.
The LACC commends the grand jury and the judiciary for their cooperation and reiterates its resolve to pursue justice in all cases of public sector corruption.
