N. Bahr el Ghazal speaker confirms release of state MP
December 21, 2011 (JUBA) – The speaker of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, Aguer Aguer Wol, on Wednesday confirmed that local MP Garang Majak Bol had been released on day after being arrested by security agents on Tuesday 20 December.
Bol’s relatives told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday that state security officers searched the MP’s compound before arresting him. Bol spent one night in jail before being released without charge the next day.
At the time of his arrest, Bol’s relatives said in series of interviews with Sudan Tribune that they did not know why he was arrested since no letter of arrest was produced nor was there a letter sent to the speaker of the parliament requesting him to lift his immunity. His wife also said she did not know why her husband was arrested.
Bol said that he suspected the Bahr el Ghazal governor had ordered his arrest because he had led objections to the way the state’s budget for 2011 was spent.
Bahr el Ghazal speaker Wol told Sudan Tribune that he did not receive any official request from any authority seeking either the arrest or the release of the lawmaker.
“I do not have any information of why he was arrested and released because I did not receive any official request,” Speaker Wol told Sudan Tribune from Aweil, the state capital on Wednesday.
Government sources claim that security agents searched his house and arrested him as they had received information that Bol possessed fake notes in various currencies in his house.
The police say that no fake currency was found. However, two automatic Kalashnikov rifles, two pistols, USD$500 and 5,000 Kenyan Shillings (USD$60) were discovered.
Three personal laptop computers, two mobile phones, and luggage full of clothes were confiscated by police. The authorities claim the items were returned upon his release on Wednesday but Bol denies this saying that his property has not been given back.
Bol claims the cell he was in forced him to stand up all night.
The cause of Bol’s arrest remains unclear. However, some MPs have noted that it was Bol who raised a motion in parliament calling for the finance minister to step down as he had failed to adequately report on the state’s spending in 2011.
A group of MPs claim that SSP92 million (USD$34 million) has been spent without clear reporting. The MPs say the finance minister has repeatedly failed to provide the state parliament with a fitting explanation.
The MPs claim the names of 69 dismissed teachers and health workers remained on the pay roll list despite not receiving their salaries since August 2010.
MPs also claim that 45 police officers claim not to have received their salaries in 8 months. The money they are due is going instead to the state finance ministry, according the MPs.
Sudan Tribune has not been able to independently verify authenticity of the claims against the finance minister.
(ST)