Okolben suspension unwarranted

THIS is in response to an article in The National on May 6 where Southern Highlands provincial administrator William Powi referred an alleged fraud case to the police for investigation.
As a result, PPC Supt Teddy Tei has requested Finance secretary Gabriel Yer to suspend provincial treasurer Lawrence Okolben to allow an uninterrupted investigation to be carried out.
The amount of money alleged to have been misused was reported to be K200,000.
The officer alleged to have authorised the expenditure was reported to be deputy provincial administrator Sai Pilyo.
On the face value of these reports, the call for the instant suspension of Okolben is unwarranted and unjustified.
It is possible that the funds could have been paid out and, if so, it may have been within the authorised financial ceiling or delegated powers of Pilyo.
If the expenditures are dubious and fraudulent, it should be Pilyo who should be suspended as he is accountable, not Okolben, who is only an accounting officer.
Powi should be commended for his courageous move to refer such cases to the police.
Okolben is the best provincial treasurer and accountant SHP has seen in years.
Police investigations must continue and if there is evidence of fraud, then justice must be seen to be served.
I also commend Tei for his energy and determination to get o the bottom of things.

Insider
Mendi