Monrovia – Senator Emmanuel Nuquay never saw the visa restrictions imposed on him and his family by the United States Department of State coming. In fact, he is on record for bragging that he could go to the America every month if he wanted to.
By Willie N. Tokpah
In an October video that resurfaced on social media recently, Sen. Nuquay is seen reacting to speculation that he was denied U.S. visa. He is seen displaying a copy a U.S. Visa noting that he could go the United States Embassy anytime for visa unlike his rumor monger whom he said could not go near the U.S. Embassy and had been “condemned” by the United States.
Nuquay was referencing former Minister of State Nathaniel McGill who was sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of Treasury for alleged corruption in 2021. McGill is now also Senator-elect of Margibi County.
Nuquay noted that sanctions by the US Government would mean, a condemnation by the entire world. “Once America condemns you, the whole world condemn you,” he said.
Here is Nuquay’s full message in the clip:
“Eighteen years of service and hard work, I can go to the US Embassy and get multiple entry visas. If I want to go to America every month, I can go to America every month.
They have been claiming that the Embassy denied me a visa, but the embassy issued me visas I am not just saying it, but demonstrating it.
“Ask them where their so-called candidate can even walk to that embassy. Why will you bother yourself with somebody who has been condemned by the whole world? Once America condemned you, the whole world condemned you. We cannot waste our time with such an individual,” Nuquay noted.
However, what many are now attributing to a “Town Trap,” has now entangled Nuquay himself, after being sanctioned by the US State Department.
Nuquay is among three other prominent figures from the outgoing government, Finance Minister and Development Planning Minister Samuel Tweah and Senate Pro-Tempore Albert Chie, along with their spouses and minor children, who have been banned from entering the United States by the United States Department of State.
The visa restriction is being imposed under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2023, highlighting the U.S. commitment to combating corruption on a global scale.
The designations come in response to allegations that Tweah, Chie, and Nuquay abused their public positions by soliciting, accepting, and offering bribes to manipulate legislative processes and public funding, including activities in the mining sector. The immediate family members of the designated individuals, including spouses Delecia Berry Tweah, Abigail Chie, and Ruthtoria Brown Nuquay, as well as Tweah and Nuquay’s minor children, are also included in the sanctions.
The sanction brings four, officials of the government hooked by the US government following the Presidential and general elections in Liberia.
Meanwhile, the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, Sen. Albert Chie has categorically denied allegations of soliciting, accepting, and offering bribes to manipulate legislative processes and public funding, including legislative reporting and mining sector activities.
“The allegations are misleading and false. I haven’t taken a dime from any lawmaker or chambers to manipulate any legislative process. We will take advantage of the legal process available to remove our names and those of our families from the visa restriction list.”
Sen. Chie made the assertion on Tuesday at the Capitol.
He accused the US government of choosing the wrong time for the sanctions, especially just a few weeks before the Senate leadership elections, something he said is a concern worth noting.
“The timing of the action on two senators calls for concern, especially a few weeks before the Senate elections process. The allegations against Tweh, Nuquay, and me of taking bribes to influence legislative work impugn on your integrity as senators, no matter how you look at it. The attack is on you, whether in the ruling position, opposition, or no position.”