The investigation of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State government employees who were detained in connection with misappropriation of money last month has been delayed. Several officials are still jailed.
In February the Secretary-General of the Government Garang Kuot Kuot and Director-General of the Finance Ministry Sabrino Majok Majok and others were arrested for their alleged role in a corruption scandal.
The incident caused unrest because of the alleged involvement of the governor in the same, an allegation vehemently denied by the state information minister.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, the Northern Bahr El Ghazal State Information Minister Jacqueline Nyibol stated the investigation committee set up to probe into teacher salaries scam in the state has not yet accomplished its task.
She noted the committee members are waiting for the return of former finance minister Madut Santino Deng who travelled abroad supposedly to seek medical treatment.
“The former minister is still away out of the county, he is in Cairo for medical check up ــ I also hear these days that he will come by next week”, said the minister.
The detainees are entitled to good medical attention and all the rights as enshrined in the bill of rights of the state constitution, according to official. She said they are in good health in the prison.
“Of course, the detainees have the rights to see their families and relatives. They have friends and colleagues who frequently visit them in the prison,” she explained.
Nyibol, who is also the state government spokesperson, indicated that the former finance minister is the only one who will be able to trace the other involved employees who are still at large.
However, a new finance minister was appointed in the state, while the teachers are complaining about non-payment of their salaries up till now.
“The new minister finance minister is working tirelessly to set up a new financial system and pay December arrears,” she underscored.
File photo: The State Legislative Assembly in Aweil (Gurtong)
Related coverage:
About 10 million SSP embezzled in Aweil (25 Feb.)
Top state government officials arrested in Aweil (20 Feb.)