CENTAL Lauds Indictment of Former Officials; Wants Non-compliant Officials in Assets Declaration Punish

MONROVIA – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia says it welcome recent moves by the Government of Liberia to arrest past officials of government following their indictment by the Liberia Anti-corruption Commission (LACC) having been found culpable for corruption from the General Auditing Commission (GAC) 2018-2023 report.

“Over the last few weeks, CENTAL has followed laudable efforts by the Liberian Government towards ensuring accountability and transparency, especially in government. For example, integrity bodies such as the Liberia Anti-corruption Commission (LACC), General Auditing Commission (GAC), and Public Accounts Committee of the Legislature have been in the media for the right reasons. We have seen the Joint Public Accounts Committee of the Legislature holding public hearings on audit reports submitted by the General Auditing Commission. We need more robust and transparent public hearings to give opportunities to those implicated to respond to the issues raised against them as well as enable the Committee and the executive to hold them accountable for their actions. Also, many audit reports of the GAC have been subjects of discussions on traditional and social media in terms of discrepancies identified and the need to hold responsible parties accountable.

While these efforts are insufficient, they are highly welcoming, especially considering our unpalatable history in the fight against corruption. For Liberia to fully turn the tide against corruption and mismanagement, a more concerted, impartial, and sustained effort will be required. This is one reason why we are calling for adequate support, including moral, financial, and others from the public and national government to integrity institutions to perform their respective tasks in leading Liberia on the path of integrity, transparency, and accountability, a statement from CENTAL said.

 LACC’s Indictment of Former Officials of Government

Addressing the Press, CENTAL said it has followed with keen interest, the indictment of several former officials on multiple allegations of corruption by the Liberia Anti-corruption Commission.  Former Finance Minister, Samuel D. Tweah Jr., former director general of the Financial Intelligence Agency, Stanley Ford, and other individuals have been investigated and indicted for allegedly siphoning the amounts of L$l,055,152,540.00 and US$5000,000.00.” CENTAL welcome the move to have former officials of government account for their stewardship.

Meanwhile, CENTAL said it is appalled by former President George M. Weah’s attempt to sidestep allegations levied against his former officials during his press conference held on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. “We would think that, former President Weah who professes to be an ardent supporter of the fight against corruption, would encourage those indicted to present themselves before the law to be exonerated, if innocent, as indictments are not convictions”.    

CENTAL went on to admonish former President Weah to encourage his officials to face the law, while also admonishing the Joseph N. Boakai’s administration to ensure that its anti-corruption efforts are impartial. From reactions to the indictment on social and traditional media, it has become crystal clear that Liberians are tired of corruption and want a genuine, robust, and impartial fight against it. One could tell that most Liberians appreciate a fight that does not see any sacred cows, protection of regime elements and their collaborators, as well as weaponization of audit and other investigative and due diligence processes.  So far, CENTAL does not see any witch-hunt in the case under review. However, LACC and other integrity institutions must ensure to lead an impartial charge against corruption, fraud, waste and abuse in Liberia. CENTAL said it support genuine calls for an impartial, independent, and holistic fight against corruption, irrespective of who is involved.

While CENTAL commends LACC on this matter, it (CENTAL) however, urged the body to investigate and prosecute former officials of government sanctioned by the U.S. government for significant public sector corruption. These include Senator Nathaniel McGill of Margibi County, Senator Prince Y. Johnson of Nimba County, Senator Emmanuel Nuquaye of Margibi County, former Grand Cape Mount County Senator, Cllr. Varney Sherman, Senator Albert Chie of Grand Kru County, Jefferson T. Koijee, former Mayor of Monrovia, Andrew Wonplue, former Director of Passport at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Cllr. Cyrenus Cephus, former Solicitor General of the Republic of Liberia. They, too, should be given the space to exonerate themselves in a court of competent jurisdiction. “While we call on the Commission to engage with the US Government to seek evidence against the accused, it is also important that investigations, including audit of their stewardship be conducted, where applicable, to serve as an important starting point for insight into their alleged corrupt dealings”, CENTAL said.

Low Compliance with Asset Declaration Law and Process

On Thursday, August 1, 2024, the LACC through its Executive Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe reported a low level of compliance by officials of the Boakai-led administration with the law on declaration of assets, incomes, and liabilities before taking office. LACC report states that only 322 of a possible 1,281 public officials have declared their assets, incomes, and liabilities. We applaud the few officials of government that are in compliance. However, we are concerned about the gross violation of the asset declaration law by majority officials of the Boakai-led administration. This is disappointing, especially for a President and government that is going after former officials for corruption and defrauding of the state. More so, the President’s lack of action against his officials on this matter raises questions in terms of his willpower to deal with his own officials. The process leading to holding people accountable should be holistic and impartial.

The corruption-watchdog entity went to proffer recommendations that it sees prudent in the fight against corruption in Liberia. These recommendations include:

1. We applaud the LACC and other integrity institutions for their ongoing efforts. They must continue to partner in meaningful ways in the fight against corruption, working with civil society, media and other independent players and actors.
2. We call on President Boakai to suspend his officials who have not yet declared their assets, incomes, and liabilities, some after more than five months in office. If the president must be seen as being impartial in dealing with corruption and other accountability issues, he has to punish his officials for violating the laws of Liberia, the code of conduct in the case in question.
3. We call on the President and legislature to provide adequate support to anti-graft institutions to investigate and prosecute more cases, conduct audits, and perform other critical functions. This is important if impunity for corruption and other offences will become issues of the past.
4. We admonish former president Weah to encourage his supporters and those indicted to present themselves before the law to exonerate themselves.
5. We encourage the Judiciary to comply with law on asset declaration and other accountability frameworks. Reports from the LACC regarding limited compliance with the asset declaration law by the Judicial officials is troubling, as they need to do better in leading by example.
6. We encourage the leadership and members of the Legislature to fully comply with the asset declaration law. Reports of very low compliance level of the Legislature is concerning and needs urgent action by the leadership and individual lawmakers.
7. Finally, we encourage Liberians to support LACC, GAC, and other entities that are leading anti-corruption and accountability efforts in Liberia. The Public must continue to demand for accountability from government, especially concerted, impartial, and sustained efforts to address the culture of impunity for corruption and other offences in the Country.