Margibi County—FrontPageAfrica has gathered that several senior administrators of E.J. Yancy Public High School in Kakata, Margibi County, have been suspended following allegations of embezzling over LD$2 million during the 2023/2024 academic year.
By: Yawah Y. Jaivey
The suspended officials include Principal Isaiah T. Nyema, Vice Principal for Administration, Alex G. Dolo and Vice Principal for Instruction, Joseph G. Dacuma.
FPA learned that an investigation, conducted by a special committee appointed by the local educational authorities of Margibi County, was prompted by accusations of academic malpractice, gross administrative insubordination, and financial misappropriation.
According to the committee’s findings, a copy of which is in the possession of FrontPageAfrica, these issues were significant contributors to the decline in productivity at E.J. Yancy Public High School during the last academic year.
The investigation was initially triggered by a complaint from Principal Nyema, who reported to the District Education Office regarding the conduct of Vice Principal for Student Affairs (VPSA) Yusuf M. Kroman and Vice Principal for Instruction (VPI) Joseph G. Dacuma.
Principal Nyema accused the two of persistent defiance, including the unilateral cancellation of a planned Students’ Gala Day program. He described their actions as insubordinate and threatening, prompting the intervention of the District Education Officer (DEO).
During a hearing at the Margibi County Education Office, Kroman and Dacuma defended their decision to cancel the event, citing the withdrawal of three female students who had agreed to participate but later declined due to lack of financial support.
However, they also leveled their own accusations against Principal Nyema, claiming he, along with the Vice Principal for Administration and the school registrar had embezzled funds collected during the academic year.
The committee decided to address the complaints separately, starting with the accusations against Kroman and Dacuma.
After multiple hearings, the investigation found Principal Nyema responsible for misappropriating LD$1,717,040 and for preventing approximately 65 sixth-grade students from taking the WAEC exam.
At the same time, Vice Principal Dolo was found liable for the misappropriating US$195 and LD$68,100, which were illegally collected from 12th graders under the guise of WASSCE processing fees. He was also held accountable for the misappropriation of LD$69,000, collected under the same pretense from 9th graders.
For his part, Vice Principal Dacuma was implicated in dishonest practices, including the collection of illegal fees under Dolo’s direction, and was found to have misappropriated LD$69,000 from 9th graders.
Additionally, the school registrar was found uncooperative, failing to collaborate with other administrators and neglecting to deposit school funds into the appropriate account for proper accountability.
Based on the committee’s findings, Principal Nyema and Vice Principal Dolo were suspended for one month, while Vice Principal Dacuma was recalled pending further investigation.
Meanwhile, the committee has recommended a comprehensive audit of E.J. Yancy Public School by the Ministry of Education’s procurement and finance departments, or an internal audit, and that the suspended administrators be required to return the misappropriated funds to the school’s account.
