Monrovia- The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has called for a full-scale investigation into bribery allegations of corruption in the legislature over the removal of current House Speaker, Hon. J. Fonati Koffa, who has been accused of bad leadership, corruption and other misdeeds, including conflict of interest.
By Francis G. Boayue
CENTAL’s Executive Director, Anderson Miamen, on Thursday in a press conference, recognized the right and power of representatives to remove the Speaker and other elected leaders, according to Article 49 of the 1986 Constitution, but, however, called on the 55th House of Representatives in this case to be lawful, transparent, and void of alleged and confirmed incidences of bribery and other forms of corruption.
“The Speaker stands accused of providing legal consultancy to several public and private institutions, claims he has since rebuffed, stating that he has since divested his shares in his law firm (International Law Group). In the face of all these, we call for a full-scale independent investigation into the current bribery allegations and other issues emerging regarding budget corruption and tempering, which may be undisputable due to how some representatives and senators have acquired stolen wealth, which their salaries and incomes which cannot be justified,” CENTAL’s Executive Director said.
Miamen highlighted a video which was widely circulated on social media of Representative Luther Collins of District #2 in Gbarpolu County seen displaying cash amounting to 14, 800 allegedly received from his colleague, Representative James N. Kolleh of District #2 in Bong County, on behalf of the group of representatives seeking the Speaker’s removal.
According to him, the total bribe involved is $25,000 , with an upfront payment of 15,000 USD, to be followed by 10,000 USD after the successful removal of the Speaker. Representative Collins’ startling revelations, which have been refuted by the accused, come amidst widespread allegations of corruption and bribery at the legislature, similar to many others previously reported, characterizing legislative decision-making.
The CENTAL Boss further urged the Legislature to open itself up for all forms of audit and other review processes, as may be prescribed by the General Auditing Commission and other statutorily mandated institutions.
“Where necessary, we urge the GAC to collaborate with other internationally acclaimed audit institutions to conduct the process and provide credible and timely reports on financial and other dealings of the Legislature. This is a call Liberians have been making for ever so long, along with development partners and some members of the legislature itself. Liberians are eagerly awaiting the conclusion of such comprehensive financial and other forms of audit that provide detailed, inclusive, and credible information on how budgeted resources of the Legislature have been expended, over the years,” Miamen added.
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