By Bill W. Cooper
House Speaker, Dr. Bhofal Chambers has appointed a five-member specialized committee to investigate the alleged National ID Card syndicate in the Jacob Town Community in 2020.
Those appointed are Reps. Cllr. Kanie Wesso, Chairperson and Ivar Jones, Co-Chairperson, while Reps. James Kolleh, Alexander Poure and Joseph Somwarbi are to serve as members.
The specialized committee has been tasked to investigate in two weeks evidence from the complainant, Montserrado County District 2 Representative, Col. Jimmy Smith, who alleged that Mr. Foday Kanneh, an Enrollment Officer of the National Identification Registrar (NIR) was seen illegally printing National ID Cards in the compound of Strong FM and a local clinic in the Jacob Town Community.
The House’s Specialized Committee will also probe reports from the NIR and the Liberia National Police (LNP), who admitted to the enrollment of residents of Jacob Town by NIR Enrollment Officer, but said there were no National ID Cards printed as alleged by the complainant.
The NIR Executive Director Tiah Nagbe, said upon a tip-off, Mr. Kanneh was arrested by the LNP in the Jacob Town Community and subsequently detained.
Mr. Nagbe said following an investigation by the LNP, it was recommended for an administrative punishment to be levied against the Enrollment Officer for what the LNP termed as “Procedural Errors.”
“We suspended Mr. Kanneh for two months without salary and benefits, and he is still in the employ of the NIR,” Mr. Nagbe asserted.
The LNP Deputy Director General, Prince Mulbah at the same time indicated that the Police had ruled out criminal linkage and therefore recommended administrative punishment.
