MONROVIA – Prince B. Kollie, Special Assistant to Rep. Foday E. Fahnbulleh, has dismissed allegations made by Stanton Witherspoon, Chief Executive Officer of Spoon Network, describing the claims as false, misleading, and politically motivated.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
Speaking on behalf of the District Seven lawmaker, Kollie said statements made by Witherspoon on his March 3 podcast regarding an alleged US$310,000 property purchase for Mrs. Dounia Taoussi-Fahnbulleh were “a calculated attempt to misinform the public and damage reputations.”
Witherspoon had claimed that Rep. Fahnbulleh purchased a house valued in the tone of US$250,000 to US$310,000 for his Moroccan wife following their wedding in Monrovia last month.
He further alleged that Mrs. Taoussi-Fahnbulleh refused to live in what he described as a “dilapidated” structure and demanded that the house be upgraded, resulting in an additional US$60,000 expenditure.
The Spoon Network CEO also accused the lawmaker of using his position as Chair of the House Committee on Concessions and Investment to amass wealth at the expense of his district.
In the rebuttal, Kollie clarified that the property in question was lawfully acquired for US$163,000, not US$250,000 or US$310,000 as claimed. According to him, the purchase was jointly financed by Rep. Fahnbulleh and his wife, and all transactions are supported by verifiable bank records, including transfers from both his personal salary account and his wife’s account.
“There is absolutely nothing clandestine about the acquisition of the property. The documented bank records speak for themselves,” Kollie stated. “The figures being circulated on air are simply inaccurate.”
Addressing allegations of unexplained wealth, Kollie emphasized that Rep. Fahnbulleh accumulated over US$500,000 in assets prior to his election to public office. He noted that the lawmaker had built his financial base through years of professional service and private enterprise before entering politics.
“Rep. Fahnbulleh’s financial standing did not begin with his election. Before contesting, he had already accumulated assets valued at over five hundred thousand United States dollars,” Kollie said. “His public service is not the source of his wealth.”
Kollie further disclosed that three months after assuming office, Rep. Fahnbulleh declared assets in excess of US$500,000 with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission as part of his commitment to transparency and accountability.
“As a transparent leader, he formally declared his assets with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission within three months of taking office. That record is there for verification,” Kollie added.
On claims that Mrs. Dounia Taoussi-Fahnbulleh refused to live in the house because it was “dilapidated,” Kollie described the assertion as entirely false. He stated that Mrs. Taoussi-Fahnbulleh has toured Fuamah District alongside her husband, visiting communities with conditions far more challenging than the house being discussed.
“At no point did she refuse to sleep in the structure in question. In fact, she has accompanied her husband to areas within the district that are far more dilapidated,” Kollie said. “The narrative being pushed is simply untrue.”
He added that Mrs. Taoussi-Fahnbulleh, a practicing Muslim, has made donations to a mosque in the district and has actively engaged with residents during district visits.
According to Kollie, the couple is currently undertaking further development of their residence in Fuamah as part of long-term plans.
Providing additional context on the lawmaker’s background, Kollie noted that before his election, Rep. Fahnbulleh served as a consultant at the Ministry of Public Works for six years and managed private businesses.
Among his investments is a fully air-conditioned guest house and conference facility in Fuamah District valued at over US$250,000. He also owns property in Johnsonville, all of which were declared upon taking office.
Responding to insinuations regarding concession-related matters, Kollie clarified that issues involving Hummingbird were handled through proper legislative oversight.
He explained that payments owed by the company were remitted directly to Liberia Revenue Authority accounts under a structured payment plan after the company acknowledged its obligations.
“Government revenues are paid into government accounts, not to lawmakers,” Kollie stressed. “Any suggestion that funds went to a Representative reflects either a misunderstanding of basic governance procedures or a deliberate effort to mislead the public.”
Kollie maintained that Rep. Fahnbulleh is not a millionaire but reiterated that his financial history is legitimate, documented, and independent of his role as a legislator.
