Libya – The investigative authority has ordered the pre-trial detention of the Director-General of the Centre for Educational Curricula and Pedagogical Research, along with the centre’s financial controller and warehouse manager, over contract violations tied to printing primary and secondary school textbooks for the 2023/ 2024 academic year.
Irregularities uncovered in textbook contracts
According to a statement from the Office of the Attorney General, a public prosecutor reviewed audit reports on the printing agreements and found that the administrative and financial procedures used to award the contracts lacked legal validity.
Over-ordering and inflated costs
Investigators determined that the centre contracted printers for more than 9 million Libyan dinars—significantly exceeding the education ministry’s actual textbook needs for the school year.
Forged data and hidden penalties
The suspects allegedly falsified records to conceal 1 million dinars in late-delivery fines owed to the ministry. They are also accused of ignoring warehouse protocols, hampering efforts to verify on-time deliveries and repeatedly paying transport fees in violation of state financial regulations.
Pre-trial detention pending further inquiry
In light of the findings, prosecutors ordered the trio held in custody while the investigation continues and further legal steps are completed.
