Monrovia – The head of the Special Presidential Task Force to probe the Global Witness report says more people will be prosecuted as the Task Force gets set to review audit reports from the General Auditing Commission of Liberia.
“It is time for the Ministry of State to take its usually supporting role because it has become active prosecution of persons who have been indicted and I expect by next week, more persons will be indicted; we must now turn that role over to the agency statutorily responsible for prosecution, which is the Ministry of Justice,” Cllr Koffa said.
Speaking Thursday at a Ministry of Information press briefing, the Presidential Task Force head noted that the Task Force will give needed assistance to the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission in compiling pieces of evidence gathered that will enable prosecutors obtain a verdict favorable to the state.
According to him, the Task Force has already indicted at least four individuals, one corporation, interviewed more than 12 witnesses in Liberia and abroad, reviewed more than 700 pages of evidence which has been compiled.
“Let me just say here, we went into this work and came out extremely impressed by the scale and competence of the investigators and the members of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission.”
“We came out extremely impressed by the skills and competence of lawyers at the Ministry of Justice and we are proud to provide additional support and by next week, begin the prosecution of all of those indicted,” Cllr. Koffa said.
He said the Task Force has reached a point where the statutory agencies can take up their respective roles independently.
“You recalled just few weeks ago in the wake of the report, The Deceiver, released by the Global Witness organization, the President of Liberia, recognizing the expediency of the moment and the danger to the image of the state, put together this Task Force to swiftly investigate and prosecute or bring resolution to this matter within the less than require statutory period”, Cllr. Koffa said.
He said it is impossible for one agency of government to probe corruption cases and the need to set up body like the Special presidential Task Force cannot be underrated, calling for the support of everyone in curtailing the menace.
“The president has been concerned about the mounting GAC Reports simply because the Ministry of Justice is actively involved in prosecution while the LACC is focused on investigating matters it receives on a daily basis,” he mentioned, adding that old reports from the GAC that have not been investigated or prosecuted will be looked through for compliance screening measure.
He revealed that names of individuals associated with the GAC Reports, who are yet to appear for investigation, will be published next week.
According to him, they have not been accused of any crime nor have they been accused of wrong doing but will provide a means to exonerate themselves, a process that will accordingly take 30 to 60 days.
Willie N. Tokpah/ [email protected]