Corruption scandal rocks Somalia’s Info. Ministry as senior Director flees Country

The Director of Administration and Finance at the Ministry of Information of Somalia’s Federal Government, Abdinasir Hussein, has reportedly fled the country amidst an ongoing corruption investigation, while President Hassan Sheikh announces the imminent arrest of more officials involved in the scandal…

Sources within the ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed as quoted by Kaab TV “stunning development, According to insiders, Abdinasir Hussein left Somalia discreetly upon learning about the investigation conducted by the Office of the Auditor General, although he had not been placed under any form of restriction. Presently, he is believed to be residing in England.

The Attorney General’s Office, when contacted for comment, declined to disclose any specific details pertaining to the investigation. Similarly, Abdullahi Hayir Duale, the Director General of the Ministry of Information, refused to provide any statements, citing the ongoing nature of the inquiry.

The allegations of corruption emerged amidst reports of millions of dollars going missing from the Ministry of Information accounts. These funds include registration fees that were collected by the ministry using unauthorized receipt vouchers, without approval from the Accountant General. A Ministry of Finance official confirmed that no funds generated by the Ministry of Information had been deposited into the national treasury whatsoever.

Sources we interviewed and documents indicate that the ministry has been charging fees ranging from $200 to $300 per person for permission granted to foreign journalists. This aspect of the investigation aims to shed light on potential irregularities in the fee collection process.

Adding to the growing scandal, local media recently reported the theft of valuable equipment from the Ministry of Information’s headquarters. The stolen items include three Sonny PXW-Z150 4K XDCAM CAMRECORDER cameras and three Blackmagic Studio Camera HD cameras. These equipment donations were provided by the Finland through the VIKES Foundation, affiliated with the Ministry of Information. Reports suggest that the stolen equipment is being utilized at a private studio called ‘Wali Media Production’ in Mogadishu’s Waberi district. The estimated value of the stolen devices amounts to tens of thousands of dollars.