PAC orders auditor to replace stolen laptop with a new one

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has ordered an internal auditor formerly with Upper West Akim District Assembly, Christian Ofori, to replace a laptop he allegedly stole from the Assembly with a new one.

Ofori was indicted by the Auditor-General (AG) in his 2015 report for allegedly stealing an official laptop.

According to the AG’s report, Ofori took the laptop upon his transfer to the Denkyembour District without informing his superiors, a case which was later reported to the Police for action.

Ofori, who appeared before the PAC at its zonal sittings in Ho, Tuesday, May 8, 2018, told the Committee that he had no intention of stealing the laptop.

He explained that the laptop which he used for his official duties developed a fault and was sent to Accra for repairs in 2016.

The computer, he added, is still with the repairer.

His explanation, however, was not convincing enough with the Chairman of the PAC, Hon. James Klutse Avedzi, ordering that he buys a new one for Assembly within one month.

“You are going to suffer for it. Go and look for the laptop; collect it and keep it for your personal use. But you have to buy a new laptop for the Assembly”, he directed.

The PAC Chair further directed the District Chief Executive of Denkyembour Assembly to ensure that Ofori buys the new laptop and submit it to the internal auditor of the Assembly for onward transmission to the District Auditor of Upper West Akim for it to be handed over to that Assembly.

Once this is done, a report, Hon. Avedzi noted, should be sent to his outfit through the Auditor-General.