Suakoko, Bong County – Police in Gbarnga, Bong County have charged and sent to court a senior staff of the Central Agriculture Research Institute (CARI) for alleged forgery, theft of property and misapplication of entrusted property.
Dr. Nykoi Jomah, Director of Fishery at (CARI), was forwarded to the Gbarnga Central Prison Monday, September 9, after a complaint filed by the officer-in-charge of CARI, Mrs. Paulette Findley, for fraudulently withdrawing L$10,000 from the Finance Officer, David Tokpa.
According to police investigation, suspect Dr. Jomah used “fraudulently used” the signature of the finance officer to withdraw money under the pretense of purchasing food for the animals at the institution.
During police investigation, suspect Jomah allegedly voluntarily agreed to the act and said he used the money to repair his vehicle.
The decision by the Findley-led administration of CARI to take a senior staff of the institution to task on allegations of forgery has been greeted with applause from citizens of allegations.
Gbarnga citizens, in conversation with FrontPageAfrica, said Madam Findley’s decision was in the best interest of the CARI.
Togar Weyea, chairman of the Independent Bong Intellectual Class (IBIC), said Dr. Jomah should not only be made to restitute the fund, he misdirected it to his personal use and should be dismissed from the entity.
“CARI should set precedence on Dr. Jomah. His action was criminal and warrants dismissal. You can’t be a senior member of an entity and be involved in criminality, especially when the institution is struggling for funds to pay its staff,” Weyea added.
He lauded Madam Findley for exposing Dr. Jomah’s alleged criminality irrespective of his status at CARI, and urged her to continue to expose the corruption that had dogged the leadership of previous administration at the institution.
Another resident, Amos Zeon, described Dr. Jomah as a “bad apple” at CARI whose deeds have been brought to the limelight by the current leadership of CARI.
Zeon wants Dr. Jomah dismissed in order to set a strong precedent at the institution. “It’s about time that the right thing is done at CARI. Dr. Jomah should be prosecuted. His action was criminal,” he said.
Madam Findley has promised to expose every dubious deed at CARI as long she’s in charge.
“Dr. Jomah has a history of financial malpractices. This is not his first time of defrauding CARI. I want to give a stern warning that I won’t relent in exposing corrupt deeds at the institution,” a senior staff at CARI said on condition anonymity. “Water pump, wheelbarrows were all forged; payroll was padded and checks were forged during Aaron Marshall’s tenure.”
Madam Findley, the Officer-in-Charge told FrontPageAfrica that she’s going to do a complete audit of banks, payroll and canceled checks for the last 12 months, adding that accountability needs to be established for monies given to CARI. “I’ll start with myself ($100K container sale) so you can re-assure, absolutely no one will be exonerated. Whoever is guilty, will be dismissed & turned over to the Justice Dept for persecution,” she added.
Continuing, she added: “The people of Bong and its neighbors will feel the impact of CARI.” The management of CARI has contracted the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to do a comprehensive audit as far back as 2012. CARI needs accountability, donor funding has to be accounted for. No! It’s not witch-hunt, just ensuring that we’re accountable for our actions.”