Published: February 19, 2025
MONROVIA – The Office of the Ombudsman has fined the suspended Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Emma Metieh-Glassco, five hundred United States dollars for allegedly violating Sections 5.1A and 5.1B of the Code of Conduct.
During a hearing at the Ombudsman’s headquarters in Congo Town on Tuesday, Chairperson Cllr. Finley Kangar announced that the fine must be paid into government revenues within 72 hours. He warned that failure to comply would result in enforcement measures in accordance with the law.
According to Cllr. Kangar, the Ombudsman’s investigation found that Madam Glassco exhibited indifference, arrogance, and disregard for the rights of her subordinate staff. These actions, he stated, contravened Sections 4.8, 4.9, and 11.10 of the Code of Conduct, which outline ethical standards for public officials.
In response to these findings, the Ombudsman has instructed all staff members who were dismissed by Madam Glassco without justifiable reasons to submit their names to the NaFAA Board of Directors within 30 days for review.
This decision comes in the wake of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.’s directive to suspend Madam Glassco with immediate effect, based on a recommendation from the NaFAA Board of Directors. The suspension was reportedly prompted by concerns over managerial and financial inefficiencies, as outlined in Section 3.9.2 of the Act establishing NaFAA.
Additionally, the President cited a communication from the Office of the Ombudsman, which accused Madam Glassco of displaying insulting behavior during an official investigation meeting. The Ombudsman deemed such conduct unbecoming of a public official and recommended her suspension, as well as further investigations by the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
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