Accounting officers detained over audit queries

By Wilson Kakuru On May 9, 2019 1,442 0

Afayo(with back pack) being led away by the police after the committee ordered his detention. Courtesy photo

The Chief Administrative Officer(CAO) of Nebbi District, Geoffrey Okoka and Ludara Sub County chief, Afayo David Okokira have been handed over to police over false accountabilities.

The Public Accounts Committee(Local Governments) which is in the West Nile Region as part of their oversight role, handed over the two officers to the police for not remitting local revenue to the district accounts.

Okoka was accused of lying on oath and in the process of further interrogation, the committee members suspected him of being drunk.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Hon Akello Franca directed the police to detain him until tomorrow, Friday 10 May 2019.

“CAO, it seems you are not sober. The Committee is going to detain you. You will reappear at 4:00 pm when you are fine,” Akello Franca said.

Afayo, on the other hand, is accused of non-remittance of local revenue and lack of accountability.
The key audit queries being investigated in the West Nile region include failure to recover Youth Livelihood programme funds, non- remittance of local revenue and withholding tax, understaffing in hospitals, shortage of medical equipment and, non- compliance with repayment schedules.

The committee will meet sub-county chiefs and municipal council officials to scrutinize key audit issues raised in the Auditor General’s reports.