A journalist working with a community radio in South Sudan’s Eastern Lakes State was arrested as a suspect in an ongoing investigation of embezzlement.
John Agok was arrested last Monday under orders of Governor Mangar Buong after he allegedly embezzled funds belonging to Yirol community radio 88.9-FM.
Rachael Achol, head of the community radio’s board of trustees, told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that over 84,000 SSP donated by the locals went missing in the office.
Achol accused Agok who was a manager of embezzlement. However, she said the court will adjudicate the matter.
For his part, Journalist Agok accused the State Minister of Information Abraham Majak of involvement in the issue. He claimed that Minister Majak had borrowed 30,000 SSP from the radio after the ministry had run out of cash. He pointed out that the minister failed to refund the money.
Agok denied embezzlement claims, saying an amount of 54,000 SSP had been used for renovation of the local radio station.
Minister Majak admitted that he had borrowed money from the radio, saying he borrowed 22,000 SSP only through the board of trustees.
Agok is expected to appear in court on Monday.
The community radio was launched in 2016 after a donation by the non-profit Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO).