Documents obtained by investigative media outlet Spoon TV from the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) indict the Superintendent of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS), along with a confidant and an employee of Sky Insurance, for alleged grave corruption.
Madam Sonita Dangan (confidant) and Kabineh Keita of Sky Insurance Company have been forwarded to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) by FIA for investigation.
In a communication from the Officer-In-Charge of FIA, Mohammed A. Nasser, addressed to LACC head Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe, the trio (Sonita Dangan, Superintendent James A.S. Momoh and Kaineh Keita of Sky Insurance) are suspected of concocting a plan in which the insurance cost was increased, and a kickback was received through cheque from Kabineh Keita to Sonita Dangan’s account.
The FIA investigation uncovers that Madam Dangan then deposited the cheques into her account at SI Bank and later withdrew the monies. FIA also uncovers that scholarships intended for MCSS teachers to study abroad were monetized by the MCSS Administration for personal gain, with Superintendent Momoh the principal suspect.
“Compliments, and I am herewith bringing to your attention matter arising from the Monrovia Consolidated School System in which Sonita Dangan, an employee, is the principal suspect. The intelligence gathered is considered grave and requires your immediate action. Madam Chair, these suspicions are grave and must be investigated by the LACC without delay,” read the communication attached to the report. FIA maintains that Suspect Sonita’s Account is supposedly used to commit fraud and corruption, Superintendent Momo is a beneficiary.
“The FIA suspected that the scholarship intended for MCSS teachers to study in India was monetized by MCSS administration with James A.S. Momoh as the principal suspect.” “FIA request the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to conduct a full-scale investigation in allegation corruption at the MCSS.”
It was also discovered by FIA that Suspect Dangan reactivated her dormant account at SIB and deposited LRD8, 109, 000 in cheques from Kabineh Keita, who is believed to be an employee of Sky Insurance. The FIA suspects that, though travel tickets for scholarship students in India, was paid for by the Government of Liberia; however, MCSS still collected US$920 from each student.
“There is no evidence of any business dealing between Sonita Dangan and Kabinch Keita for which he issued her cheques in the total of L$8, 109, 000,” furthered FIA.” Accordingly, FIA in its findings gathered that Sonita, who is said to be a resident of Watch Tower Community in Paynesville, opened an account (a/c #: 0310201891002) with the Sapelle International Bank (SIB) in June, 2016 from which she was receiving her salary (Liberian Dollars component).
The salaries, FIA revealed, were regular between July 2016 and July 2022, but became dormant between July 2022 and September 18, 2024. However, FIA investigation shows that on September 19, 2024, Sonita reactivated the account and deposited L$4, 500, but no salary was received after the reactivation.
FIA report states that on September 30, 2024, and December 6, 2024, Sonita deposited three UBA cheques in the total of LRD8, 109, 000 into her account and the money thereafter – the cheques were issued by Kabinch Keita.
However, the FIA could not find any business dealings between the two for which the cheques were issued. At the same time, employees of the MCSS stormed the main offices of the System on early Monday morning, April 14, holding placards on several issues.
Some of the issues outlined include theft of Student Medical Insurance Funds, failure of the MCSS Administration to recognize and call for a senior management meeting, and misuse of Scholarship and Travel Funds, among others. The Workers’ Union also placed a padlock on the main entrance to the compound to prevent employees from entering the building.
