CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia – The Plenary of the Liberian Senate has mandated its committee on Judiciary to launch a probe into alleged violations of the National Code of Conduct by the Director General of the Civil Service Agency, Josiah Joekai.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
Plenary is the highest decision-making body of the Senate.
Joekai has come under strong criticism for allegedly violating the Code of Conduct he appeared at a political gathering organized by the National Independent Movement for Boakai (NIMBO), a political movement supporting the agenda of President Joseph Boakai.
Critics claimed that his appearance in NIMBO attire amounted to partisan political activity by a senior government official.
He rejected the allegations, arguing that he is a presidential appointee and not a career civil servant; and his attendance at the NIMBO event occurred on a Sunday and did not interfere with official duties.
Joekai further justified that he was exercising his constitutional rights as a Liberian citizen and that he is not officially a member of any political party.
But Senators took a decision to launch a probe into his alleged violation of the law following an official complaint filed by Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh on Thursday, May 28.
Senator Konneh made specific reference to Part V, Section 5.1 of the Code of Conduct as a provision of the law which appears to be clearly violated by Joekai.
Part V, Section 5.1 of the Code of Conduct prohibits all presidential appointees from participating or engaging in political activities or holding leadership positions in political parties; contesting or canvassing for elective office; serving on campaign teams for political parties or independent candidates; and using government resources, including vehicles, fuel, facilities, or other state assets, to support political activities.
Senator Konneh observed that as a presidential appointee, the Director General is fully bound by these provisions and the CSA itself recently dismissed several civil servants for engaging in political activities under the same Code of Conduct.
He stressed that it is, therefore, deeply concerning that visual evidence has emerged showing the Director General wearing a political movement T-shirt in support of President Joseph N. Boakai’s potential 2029 re-election bid.
“I extend my respectful compliments and write to request that the Plenary of the Liberian Senate exercise its constitutional oversight by inviting the Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA) to appear before this august body. This request stems from serious and widely circulated allegations that the Director General has engaged in partisan political activities in violation of the National Code of Conduct for Public Officials. Such conduct, if confirmed, constitutes a direct breach of the Code of Conduct and undermines the principle of political neutrality, which is essential to maintaining public trust in integrity-based institutions like the CSA.”
Senator Konneh maintained that, given the seriousness of these allegations and the need to uphold the rule of law, the Senate Plenary should mandate the Director General to appear and provide clarification.
He stressed that the Liberian people deserve assurance that those entrusted with enforcing ethical standards within the civil service are themselves in full compliance with the laws of the Republic.
A motion for the Senate to investigate the matter was filed by Grand Cape Mount County Senator Simeon Taylor.
