Monrovia — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has removed Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh and Solicitor General Cllr. Augustine Fayiah from their posts, abruptly reshuffling the leadership of the Ministry of Justice at a critical stage in Liberia’s investigation and prosecution of suspects linked to the country’s largest-ever cocaine seizures.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The Executive Mansion announced Wednesday that Cllr. Betty M. Lamin-Blamo has been appointed as the new Minister of Justice, while Cllr. Abrahim Boimah Sillah, Sr. will serve as Solicitor General.
The shake-up comes as the Ministry of Justice, under Tweh and Fayiah, has been at the center of the government’s legal response to two major cocaine seizures with a combined estimated street value of more than US$336 million.
The timing of the changes is likely to draw scrutiny, given that the investigation and prosecution remain active and several suspects are facing serious criminal charges.
Among those charged is former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, who has been accused by the government of drug trafficking and money laundering in connection with the broader narcotics investigation. She has denied the allegations.
The government has also charged other suspects in connection with the drug cases, while investigators continue efforts to establish the full network behind the massive consignments.
Tweh and Fayiah had been publicly associated with the government’s legal handling of the cases, including the announcement of charges and the prosecution of suspects before the courts.
The Executive Mansion, however, did not link their removal to the cocaine investigation.
Instead, Presidential Press Secretary Atty. Kula B.N. Fofana said the changes form part of President Boakai’s “ongoing efforts to strengthen key institutions of Government and enhance the effective delivery of public services.”
The President said the two outgoing officials will be reassigned to other levels of government, although the Executive Mansion did not immediately specify their new assignments.
Major Legal Shake-Up
The removal of the two top Justice Ministry officials means the administration is changing both its political and prosecutorial leadership at a moment when the government faces the challenge of sustaining several high-profile narcotics prosecutions.
Cllr. Lamin-Blamo now takes charge of the ministry responsible for representing the government in criminal proceedings and overseeing the broader administration of justice. Cllr. Sillah will assume the Solicitor General’s role, including responsibilities tied to the government’s litigation and prosecution functions.
Analysts say the changes could have significant implications for the handling of the cocaine cases, particularly as prosecutors move forward with ongoing proceedings and investigations.
The first major seizure involved 237.6 kilograms of cocaine, valued at more than US$19 million, intercepted in Liberia.
A second and larger seizure involved approximately 3,971 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated value of US$317.68 million, bringing the combined estimated value of the two consignments to more than US$336 million.
The seizures have triggered intense public and political scrutiny, including calls for an independent investigation into the identities of those behind the shipments and possible political or institutional connections.
The government’s handling of the investigation has also generated controversy following the arrest and prosecution of Howard Taylor, with opposition political actors and her defense team questioning aspects of the case.
New Leadership Takes Over
The Executive Mansion provided no detailed explanation for the timing of the Justice Ministry changes beyond the need to strengthen government institutions.
In addition to the Justice Ministry appointments, President Boakai made changes at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission, the Ministry of Local Government and the National Transit Authority.
At Gender, Children and Social Protection, Angel M. Morris was appointed Deputy Minister for Public Affairs, while Harrison K. Sorsor was named Assistant Minister for Research, Policy and Planning.
Alex Chersia Grant was appointed Commissioner of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission, while Christopher Ben Bailey was appointed Superintendent of Grand Gedeh County.
Benedict Yeke Harleysion, Sr. was also reappointed Chairman of the National Transit Authority Board.
The Executive Mansion said nominees requiring legislative approval will be subject to Senate confirmation.
But for the Justice Ministry, the immediate question is whether the leadership change will alter the government’s approach to Liberia’s unprecedented cocaine investigation—and whether the new legal team will continue the prosecutions already underway without interruption.
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