General News
Lawmaker Wants Colleague Investigated
/ 0
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, 20 February 2013 13:51
- Written by Necus M. Andrews
Nimba County Representative Jeremiah Koung has called on the House of Representatives to launch an immediate investigation into the alleged secret recording indicting Montserrado County District #16 Representative, Edward Forh for alleged corruption.
Representative Koung said the corruption allegation against the Representative has the propensity to bring the reputation of the 53rd Legislature into public disrepute.
Representative Koung told his colleagues that the investigation, when conducted would put to rest the negative public perception about the Legislature.
Rep. Koung said while he supports decision of the plenary that no one person should disrespect any member of the legislature, however, it was equally important that the issue involving the Chairman of the Montserrado County Legislative Caucus be fully investigated as a means of putting the matter to rest.
“If it is alleged that a lawmaker, especially the Chairman of the Montserrado County Legislative Caucus asked the Superintendent of Montserrado for money, saying “You eat some, I eat some and Minster eats some; I think it is a grave issue that requires investigation by the House of Representatives,” he stressed.
He said the function of lawmakers is not to request for money intended to improve the lives of the citizens but to ensure that they get basic social services.
Rep. Koung expressed fear that if nothing is done quickly, the House of Representatives would be disgraced publicly.
A secret recording in the possession of various media institutions has allegedly indicted Representative Forh who, according to the audio recording, told the Superintendent to divide the amount of US$400,000 intended for the development of Montserrado County.
Representative Forh is quoted in a telephone conversation between him and Superintendent Kpan as saying “The money in question must be divided among us; you eat some, I eat some, and the minister eats some.”
Mrs. Kpan said: “On this audio recording the voice of the Representative is clear when he was making the request to divide the Liberian people's money.”
However, addressing a press conference at the Capitol, Representative Forh denied the allegation and challenged the Superintendent to play the “secret recoding”.
When quizzed, the Montserrado County lawmaker confirmed listening to the recording, but declined to disclose whether the recording was his voice.
