MONROVIA – A FrontPage Africa investigation has uncovered that an employee of the National Aids Commission was dismissed by the Commission’s administration for an act he allegedly committed outside of the institution.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh – [email protected]
Lusine P. Samah, a generator operator and mechanic of the institution was sacked by the Human Resource Manager under the instruction of the Commission’s Chairperson, Madam Theodosia S. Kolee.
Samah was employed as a Mechanic/Generator Operator in 2019. However, the National AIDS Commission (NAC) terminated his employment due to a matter that arose between him and the Commission’s Chairperson outside of the Commission’s purview. Mr. Samah’s dismissal letter, dated December 20, 2022, and obtained by FrontPage Africa, states that Madam Kolee requested his assistance with vehicle repair work at her residence. Subsequently, he admitted to the Human Resources department that he had deceived her and had criminally overcharged her for vehicle spare parts, which ultimately led to the termination of his service.
Here is an excerpt of Samah’s termination letter dated December 20, 2022, signed by the Commission’s Human Resource Director Valegar H. Smith and approved by the NAC’s Executive Director Solomon Hinneh.
Dear Mr. Samah:
On the 12th of December 2022, I received a complaint against you from the Chairperson of the Commission, Hon. Theodosia S. Kolee. According to the Chairperson, you were asked to assist with her vehicle repair works at her home and according to you, the cost of the materials was US$280.00. You were then given an amount of US$250.00 by her driver Solomon Nimley to purchase the spare parts with the commitment to pay the balance at a later date. According to Hon. Kolee, an amount of US$20.00 was paid to you at a later date with the balance of US$10.00 outstanding Hon. Kolee reported and provided evidence of text messages you sent her, some of which were harshly written requesting for the balance money.
According to Hon. Kolee, she decided to request the intervention of the HR after the spare parts dealer showed up at her home on December 12, 2022 with police officers requesting for his payment for parts you took. During her discussion with the dealer and police officers, it was discovered that the spare parts actually cost US$180.00 instead of US$280.00 as you requested.
When you were questioned by the HR, Mrs. Velegar Smith, you admitted to deceiving Hon. Kolee and criminally over charging her for the vehicle spare parts.
A review of your personnel records show that you have received Two (2) WARNING LETTERS already for Gross Insubordination which were issued on March 26, 2020 and on July 1, 2020 respectively.
In June of 2020, you were also a subject of an internal investigation in which you were found liable for disorderly conduct and neglect of duty.
Based on these facts and in line with the Civil Service Standing Order the Commission is left with no option but to TERMINATE YOUR SERVICE with immediate effect.
Kindly turn in all property of the Commission in your possession (including ID card) at the HR office no later than Wednesday, December 21, 2022.
‘A mere witch hunt’
Samah denied these allegations, asserting that he never admitted to deceiving Madam Kolee or overcharging her as stated in the termination letter. He alleged that his relationship with Madam Kolee dates back several years, and he has consistently provided personal services to her family.
According to Samah, his dismissal stemmed from a misunderstanding related to a private contract he had with Madam Kolee’s water company, Ma-Molley Acqua, situated in Gbengba Town on the RIA highway. He claims that he was asked by Madam Kolee to repair a truck owned by the water company, and following the repair, she accused him of overcharging for the vehicle’s spare parts, which led to his termination.
Samah said despite efforts to explain his side of the story to the Human Resource Department, they advised him to seek forgiveness from Madam Kolee, a request he refused, believing he had done nothing wrong. In response, he sought legal representation, taking his case to the Ministry of Labor. When Madam Kolee realized the Ministry was not inclined to rule in her favor, she directed the NAC to transfer the case to the Civil Service Agency (CSA) for investigation.
The Chairperson of the Commission, Theodosia S. Kolee, and the Executive Director, Hinneh, have confirmed Samah’s dismissal, with Hinneh explaining that the case is currently under investigation at the CSA. Hinneh further clarified that the NAC’s decision to transfer the case to the CSA aligns with the act that governs the Commission, which states that its employees are subject to the CSA Act. The NAC has committed to abide by the outcome of the CSA’s investigation, he told FPA.
Meanwhile, Samah, a father of seven, has expressed his anguish over the unjust treatment he has endured since his termination in December 2022. His family’s livelihood has been severely impacted, with his children unable to attend school. He has called upon the NAC to reinstate him and provide compensation for the period he has been unjustly out of work. Additionally, he urged the CSA to expedite the investigation and ensure that justice is served, emphasizing the need for his life to be restored to normalcy.
Samah passionately stated, “My life is upside down now as I speak. My children are not in school. I am surviving at the mercy of others due to this injustice against me. I need justice.”