MONROVIA – Despite being implicated in a vehicle theft scandal and recommended for dismissal, Dr. Adams Lincoln, Deputy Director for Administration at the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), remains actively serving in his position.
On January 14, 2025, NPHIL announced the dismissal of two employees and the suspension of several others following an investigation into the unauthorized removal and illegal sale of 11 institute vehicles.
The investigation, led by a committee comprising the Liberia National Police, the Internal Audit Agency, and senior NPHIL officials, also implicated Dr. Lincoln as the alleged mastermind behind the scheme.
He was accused of unlawfully disposing of NPHIL vehicles and fraudulently creating fake General Service Agency (GSA) documents to claim ownership of an institute vehicle.
NPHIL Director General, Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, has formally recommended Dr. Lincoln’s dismissal to President Joseph Boakai.
However, he lacks the authority to act independently against a presidential appointee.
Responding to the allegations, Dr. Lincoln stated, “I don’t run government in the press. There is a meeting with the board that is pending; there I will speak.”
During a Friday January 18, 2025 National Response Emergency Preparedness Committee meeting held at NPHIL headquarters in Congo Town, Dr. Lincoln was seen participating in his official capacity.
Observers noted that he briefly left the meeting but later rejoined via Zoom, raising eyebrows about his continued involvement despite the allegations.
In a response to DN News, NPHIL Communications Director Joseph Wiah confirmed that Dr. Lincoln remains in office as only the president can act on the recommendation for his dismissal.
“Dr. Lincoln is a presidential appointee. Dr. Nyan can only recommend his dismissal,” Wiah stated.
Meanwhile, NPHIL has handed over the terminated employees to the Ministry of Justice for further action. Dr. Nyan vowed to uphold the institute’s integrity, declaring, “Corruption will have no place at NPHIL under my watch.”
