-Seeks MICAT, HoR intervention
Former Director General of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), Estelle Liberty Kemoh, has accused the current Director General, Eugene Fahngon, of leading a smear campaign against her and her erstwhile management team.
In a letter addressed to Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah of the Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs & Tourism, Madam Kemoh highlighted the allegations made by Fahngon during a live press conference on national radio, and social media.
During the press conference, Fahngon alleged that Madam Kemoh’s administration misappropriated financial resources and left the LBS in a “bad shape.” He specifically pointed to a remaining balance of US$100,978.37 in the system’s operating accounts at the time of Kemoh’s departure in January 2024. “On Wednesday May 15th, 2024, a day after the celebration of national Unification Day, Mr. Fahngon called a one hour live press conference (attended by multiple media outlets) on national radio, television and social media (Public/State platform & medium), alleging that our administration had squandered/misappropriated financial resources, leaving the entity in filthy condition and pursued a system of what he called “modern day slavery at the LBS,” she said.
The former LBS Boss noted, “It would interest you to note, Mr. Minister that the status of US$100, 978.37 .(One hundred thousand, nine hundred and seventy eight dollars and thirty seven cents United States dollars) left in the system’s operating accounts as of our departure on 22nd January 2024 that was the prime focus of Mr. Fahngon’s live press conference and other related matters, is opened for review and scrutiny Any drawdown on that amount going forward from the date of our departure, for whatever purposes, including the sustained operations of LBS Monrovia and Seven (7) Outside or otherwise, can only be accounted for by those left in charge at the time, including the current management at LBS.
Kemoh refuted these claims and called for a thorough audit by the General Auditing Commission or the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission to verify the allegations.
“Mr. Minister & Chairman of the Board of Directors of LBS, please note that these are grave allegations against our erstwhile management team and my person as well as on the financial integrity of the entity that should not be taken lightly. They can only be verified, corroborated and/or authenticated through a commissioned audit via the authorized agency of government, – the General Auditing Commission (GAC) or the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), in line with transparency and accountability and not a mere live press conference, solely intended to destroy our standing in society.
She stressed, “The LBS, like any operating entity, has Business and Accounts offices that carry out various activities and transactions which are recorded in different financial statements, classified under broad headings, – assets, liabilities/debts, equity, revenue, expenses, etc.
Mrs. Kemoh emphasized that the allegations were damaging to her reputation and integrity, as well as to the financial integrity of the LBS. She warned that legal action would be pursued if the accusations were not properly investigated through official channels.
“I wish to state that anything short of this process that hinges on our reputation and integrity, we will be left with no alternative but to pursue the appropriate legal recourse against Mr. Fahngon and the LBS management. For the record, me and my erstwhile team take just pride in our stewardship and the remarkable transformation we left at LBS to be expanded upon by successive administrastions,” she said. The House of Representatives (HoR) and Minister Piah, who also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of LBS, has been called upon to intervene in the matter.
