A member of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) has demanded the lifting of the Western Equatoria Governor Alfred Karaba Futuyo’s immunity, following reports of criminal activities by his aides.
Earlier this month, the National Security Service disclosed that they had arrested three people in the office of the governor, who were found in possession of counterfeit machines and fake US dollars.
The National Security Service identified the suspects as Brig William John Jamal, a top security officer in the governor’s office, Alex Martin, a private secretary, and one other aide said to be the operator of the machines.
Raising the matter in parliament on Monday, the Jonglei State MP under the SPLM ticket, Michael Ruot, said he was disappointed by the government’s silence on the matter.
Michael said that implicating Brig Jamal, a top security officer, in the crime, raised questions about Governor Futuyo.
“My information is that two weeks back the National Security Service announced on the state television that they had arrested a network of criminals involved in forging money, including the South Sudanese pounds. And what I have seen is that the government is silent. The government is supposed to remove the immunity of the governor and then investigate the matter,” he said,
Michael called on the minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to write to the President to remove Futuyo’s immunity.
The call comes days after Governor Futuyo distanced himself from the incident. His Press Secretary, Alex Digi, said that the printing of the fake money had taken place in an incomplete building belonging to his boss.
He added that the governor had no knowledge of the illegal activity.