Administrative Oversight Body: Schoolbook Printing Firms Were “Shell Companies” as Probe Widens to Banks

Libya — Muhannad al-Maawi, director of the Office of the Chairman of the Administrative Control Authority, said the watchdog has been tracking the public-school textbook printing file for over a year, adding that contact for a recent TV segment was made with the Authority’s office manager “without media identification and without clarifying the caller’s identity.”

Findings and Irregularities Since the 2024–2025 School Year
In a phone interview on the “Dialogue of the Night” program broadcast by Libya Al-Ahrar and monitored by Al-Marsad, al-Maawi said the Authority reserves the right to publish all data to the public in line with the principle of transparency, and is prepared to dedicate a full episode to present documents and procedures related to the case.
He said the Authority recorded observations since the 2024–2025 textbook cycle, most notably the failure to submit contracts to the Authority for review—despite former minister Mousa al-Maqrif’s statements that curricula had reached warehouses without prior clearance—constituting a violation of Law No. 2 of 2023.

Investigations Underway; File Referred to the Public Prosecutor
Al-Maawi confirmed the Authority initiated investigative and enforcement measures and referred the full file to the Office of the Public Prosecutor, stressing that the Authority’s reports carry evidentiary weight in court.
He noted that earlier textbook-printing violations culminated in the detention of the former education minister. In July 2024, the Authority froze the Curriculum Center’s account with a balance exceeding 200 million dinars, and has followed the case through more than ten officially published meetings.

“Suitcase” Firms and Multi-Million-Dinar Contracts
According to al-Maawi, the Authority uncovered breaches within the tenders committee and the Center’s former management, referring those responsible for investigation and suspending them from duty. He said most supplying firms were fake “suitcase companies,” yet the ministry continued contracting with them despite the Authority’s warnings.
He added that contracts to print books in Italy exceeded 94 million dinars. The Authority, he said, did not impose any specific company on the ministry; rather, it reduced contract values by about 200 million dinars over the past two years and notified state institutions from the Presidential Council to the House of Representatives.

Questionable Letters of Credit and Newly Formed Firms
Addressing questions on letters of credit, al-Maawi said a letter from the Authority’s chairman dated 28 September 2025 was sent transparently to the relevant bodies following multiple meetings, and that the Authority demanded the exclusion of unqualified companies.
He said the ministry insisted on contracting with local firms despite weak capacities, and some deals were unlawfully signed with foreign companies for printing. One company, he said, was established on 21 October and received approval just four days later, while contracts with previous suppliers were canceled on 28 October. He added the probe now includes the Central Bank and commercial banks after confirming LCs were opened for these newly created firms.

Ongoing Probe to Include Banking Figures
Al-Maawi denied issuing any approvals related to “Al-Basheer Company,” stating that the LCs did not pass through the Authority. He said investigations are ongoing and will cover all concerned institutions.
He also noted the tenders committee has been reconstituted and the former director of the schoolbook program has been suspended and referred for investigation. On allegations directed at Abdullah Qadrabouh, al-Maawi said accusations must be presented to the judiciary, adding that formal summonses were issued for bank officials who failed to appear—an offense that could lead to lifting immunity from sovereign figures or MPs for questioning.