By, Washington Tumay Watson-onewash9@gamil.com
MONROVIA-The Liberian Senate Committee Chairman on Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Senator Jim Tornonlah has pushed for President George Weah to suspend Agriculture Minister Jeannie Cooper and others following the Ministry of Justice’s submission of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission investigative reports on the Ministry of Agriculture.
Recently, Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission closed its investigation into the alleged act. The report linked Jeannie Cooper, Minister of Agriculture, to corruption.
In line with the act that established the LACC following its investigation on institutions including Government Ministries and Agencies that are managing pubic funds and hooked in alleged malpractice of corruption, to submit said finding to the Ministry of Justice for indictment and prosecution.
The Ministry of Justice will also submit a report indicting the individuals being held responsible for the act to the president.
The Margibi County Senator said Thursday, June 30, 20,22 on state radio that it would be prudent for Liberian Leaders to suspend Minister Cooper during their prosecution.
According to him, the President should suspend those officials who are indicted to have their day in court freely without working or heading such entity during their indictment.
“My perspective as a Senator and Chairman on Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery is that those who are affected, let the President endorse the report that will come at his desk through the Justice Ministry , and secondly, let the President suspend the Minister and those who are culpable to have their days in court” ,he said.
Senator Tornonlah alleged that millions of United States Dollars go to the Ministry of Agriculture and the effect of the leadership is not being felt on the farmers in terms of the distribution of the resources that should make farmers more interested into agriculture development.
He told the media that his committee was the first to unearth the act of corruption at the Ministry of Agriculture through their report to the Plenary that was indorsed and sent to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission for investigation.
However, Senator Tornonlah’s claim has not been independently verified by our institution.
Source: New republic liberia