Maravi

DEC suspends Koyi

DEC suspends Koyi
By Noel Sichalwe
Sunday August 26, 2007 [04:00]

DRUG Enforcement Commission (DEC) deputy commissioner Jacob Koyi has been suspended to pave way for investigations into the financial scandals at the institution. This follows the suspension of DEC Commissioner Ryan Chitoba a few weeks ago. The duo has been suspended following investigations being conducted by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) for abuse of authority of office.

Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja yesterday confirmed the suspension of Koyi.
ìYes I can confirm that he is on suspension but we donít deal with operational matters of security wings. ACC will be able to give you more details,î he said.

Inspector General of Police Ephraim Mateyo has been overseeing the operations of DEC after the suspension of Chitoba.

In an interview, Mateyo said he was still studying the situation at DEC but that he could not start making decisions like reversing numerous transfers that Chitoba made against the suspected whistle-blowers.

The ACC has been investigating the duo for alleged abuse of office involving about K1 billion. The alleged abuse is suspected to have been through misappropriating money in the asset forfeiture account.
Sources have confirmed that Koyi was handed the letter of suspension on Friday.

ìYes it is true that Mr Koyi received the letter of suspension today (Friday),î the sources said. ìSo in the meantime, he will not be going for work as these investigations are going on. You remember this is the same thing that happened to Mr Chitoba.î
Koyiís suspension comes after several people called for the action especially that he was facing the same allegations with Chitoba.

Recently ACC director general Nixon Banda said action would be taken against Koyi who was being investigated for abuse of authority of office.

Banda said ACC prepared a report regarding the investigations against Chitoba and Koyi when President Mwanawasa was in Malaysia.

He said ACC later wrote to President Mwanawasa about the case but that Koyi was in Canada and that they could not recommend for his suspension then.

Banda said President Mwanawasa later requested him to provide further details of Koyiís involvement in the scandal, which he did.

Labels: ACC, DEC

posted by MrK @ 4:44 AM