Bong County—In a significant development in the high-profile corruption trial involving the former Margibi County Health Team (MaCHT) officials and several vendors—four individuals have been exonerated from all charges, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal proceedings.
By: Yawah Y. Jaivey
The trial, which has attracted widespread public interest, revolves around allegations of financial misconduct within the health sector, specifically the misuse of funds provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Ministry of Health’s Fixed Amount Reimbursement Agreement (FARA) Program.
The FARA program, with an annual budget of US$801,693.00, is intended to support essential health services in Margibi County, including family planning, maternal and child health, and malaria prevention across 24 health facilities.
Two key former officials of the Margibi Health Team, Procurement Officer Dornuu S. Horace and Diagnostic Officer Thomas M. Bonard, were acquitted by the 9th Judicial Circuit Court of Bong County.
The two men acquittal was as the result of a nolle prosequi ordered by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), effectively dismissing the case against them due to a lack of sufficient evidence to sustain the prosecution.
Additionally, two business managers, Vamuyan Toure, General Manager of Biomedical Link Inc., and Mohammed Dunor, General Manager of M.D. Capital Reliable Link Inc., were also cleared of charges.
Their exoneration followed the restitution of funds they had been accused of misappropriating. The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) successfully retrieved $19,610 of the stolen funds, marking a partial recovery of the misused resources.
The corruption case, which has implicated several individuals associated with the Margibi County Health Team, was initiated by the LACC. In February 2024, a Grand Jury in Margibi County indicted twelve individuals, including both former and current officials of the health team as well as local businessmen
The case was later transferred to the 9th Judicial Circuit Court of Bong County based on a motion prayed for by the prosecutor.
The charges against the defendants include Economic Sabotage, Theft of Property, Tampering with Public Records, Criminal Facilitation, and Criminal Conspiracy.
The allegations arose from an LACC investigation into the misuse of approximately US$188,978.86. These funds were part of a USAID-funded project aimed at improving healthcare services for the citizens of Margibi County. The LACC’s probe was prompted by an investigative report published by FrontPageAfrica, which uncovered financial improprieties within the health team.
Among those named in the indictment are; Augustine N. Fannieh, former County Health Officer; Leroy Dorwazia, former County Health Services Administrator; Dornuu Horace, former Procurement Officer; William Johnson, County Logistic Officer; Roland Reeve, former County Finance Officer; Ernest Flahn, County Logistic Officer; and Thomas M. Bonard, County Diagnostic Officer. Others are Barkolleh Kollie, General Manager of M.J.K. Business Center; Vamuyen Traore, General Manager of Bio-Medical Link; A. Mohammad Dunor, General Manager of M.D. Capital Reliable Link; Odoshall Oldpa Karnue, General Manager of God’s Willing Inc.; and Momo K. Miller, General Manager of Children Father Business Center.
The case initially came to light through a leaked audio recording that implicated senior staff members of the Margibi County Health Team in discussions about diverting funds earmarked for health activities.
This revelation coincided with the period when USAID, through the FARA program, was providing substantial financial support to the Margibi Health System.
As the trial continues, the exoneration of these four individuals represents a crucial turning point in the broader investigation into corruption within the Margibi County Health Team.
However, the case is far from over, with several suspects still facing serious charges and the LACC continuing its efforts to hold accountable those responsible for the misappropriation of public funds.
