Monrovia – The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission has recommended the dismissal of the National Elections Commission (NEC) Chairperson, Madam Davidetta Browne-Lansanah and the Head of the Procurement Committee of NEC for alleged corruption.
Recently, the entire leadership of the NEC was subjected to a criminal investigation by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission surrounding a US$180,000 for 22 pieces pieces of thermometers that were rented by the institution for the just ended By-Elections in four countries.
LACC Chairman Cllr. Edward Martin disclosed on Wednesday, December 15 that the NEC Boss and the head of the procurement committee were indicted by LACC criminal investigation for the alleged corruption.
Cllr. Edward Martin said that the NEC Boss reportedly confessed awarding the contract to her brother David Brown, Vice President for Operation of the Tuma Enterprise Incorporated during the investigation without disclosing her interest.
“During the investigations, Madame Dividatta Browne Lansana admitted and confirmed to the investigation that Mtotaling Brown, Vice President for Operations of TUMA Enterprises is her brother from the same father, while Arnold Badio, owner and incorporator of Tuma Enterprise Inc. is a brother to David Browne from the same Mother,” Cllr. Martins stressed.
Cllr. Martins said the National Elections Commission also awarded a certificate of completion to Tuma Enterprises on October 24, 2021, and paid a full amount of US$182,320.00 while the stipulated date for the contract to end was November 20, 2021.
The Anti-Graft Chief maintained that the NEC boss and the head of the Procurement Committee needed to be discharged of their duties, claiming that their action violates Chapter 1, Section 1 &3 of the National Code of Conduct for all public officials which amount to a conflict of interest.
The LACC’s recommendation was contained in its final investigative reports on the allegation of conflict of interest and financial improprieties into the procurement of the thermometers by the NEC.
The LACC in its November 2021 investigation, reported that elections authorities were conflicted in the award of the contract and did not follow procurement regulations and there was no value for money.
“These allegations found the bases for the commencement of investigations into the matter,” Cllr. Martins said.
Part II, Section2.2 of the Act establishing the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission describes inside-trading as an act of corruption and also in violation of section 15.3 (predicate offenses for money laundering under section 15.2 of the Money laundering Act of 2012 which provides(t) Insider Trading and Market Manipulations.
Subsequently, the indictment will be drawn for court’s prosecution, the LACC maintained.
It can be recalled that the entire Board of Commissioners of the National Elections Commission were subjected to investigation by the LACC following report that the Commission spent US$182,000 to rent 20 facial recognition thermometers for the by-elections in four counties.
The special thermometers were rented from Tuma Enterprise.
The NEC reportedly rented each of the equipment for US$9,166 though a single piece cost not more than US$1,500.
The NEC was accused of secretly outsourcing the contract to Tuma Enterprise.
A proforma invoice, dated September 9, 2021, shows a breakdown of costs for all the equipment and accompanying services for setup and installation, totaling 182,320 for 20 units of the equipment.
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