MONROVIA – The Focal Person for Monkeypox at the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Mr. Sumo Nuwolo, has filed a lawsuit against NPHIL, citing damages and libel over allegations of disclosing sensitive documents and other breaches of protocol. The allegations were leveled against him by NPHIL, prompting a series of disciplinary actions.
Speaker to reporters, Nuwolo expressed dismay at what he described as an “unjustified and baseless” decision by NPHIL’s leadership.
“I have dedicated over a decade of my life to public health, working tirelessly to address outbreaks and protect Liberians. The actions taken against me are not only unwarranted but tarnish my professional reputation,” Nuwolo said.
Suspension Without Pay
On January 10, Nuwolo received a suspension letter from NPHIL’s Director of Human Resources. The letter cited breaches of workplace policies, including insubordination, failure to comply with directives, and refusal to cooperate with an investigation into Mpox response protocols.
Key allegations against him include insubordination: making derogatory remarks towards the Senior Management Team (SMT), a violation under Section 4.2.2.d(ii) of the Civil Service Agency (CSA) Standing Orders; non-cooperation: refusing to provide documents critical to the Mpox response investigation Committee and policy iolations: breaching Section 46(96) of the CSA HR policy manual.
The letter also indicated a disciplinary hearing scheduled for January 20, 2025, giving Nuwolo the opportunity to respond to the accusations.
Legal Response
In reaction, Nuwolo’s legal team, led by Attorney Sylvester G. Lormie, has demanded that NPHIL provide evidence supporting its claims.
“We have formally requested the investigative report and decisions relating to the allegations against our client. If these documents are not provided promptly, we will take legal action to ensure justice is served,” Attorney Lormie stated.
Nuwolo emphasized that the burden of proof lies with NPHIL and vowed to pursue the matter in court if necessary.
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