Monrovia – The government’s decision to spend a whopping US$15 million off-budget has sparked controversy, as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has announced an investigation into the questionable expenditures.

By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Addressing a press conference, LACC Executive Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra Zoe expressed concern over the alleged off-budget spending by the Government of Liberia, totaling US$15 million. Cllr. Zoe emphasized that the LACC takes these allegations seriously, as they are directly aligned with the Commission’s mission to uphold transparency and accountability.

 “We take these allegations seriously, as they touch on matters that are core to our institutional objectives. Off-budget expenditures, if confirmed, can undermine public trust in governance, weaken fiscal discipline, and pose risks to the country’s financial integrity… As an institution charged with safeguarding public resources, we assure the public that we will leave no stone unturned in this investigation. If evidence of wrongdoing is found, we will take the necessary legal actions, including recommending sanctions, prosecutions, and other corrective measures,” Cllr. Zoe said.

She assured the public that the LACC has initiated a preliminary review of the allegations, which will be followed by a comprehensive investigation to verify the claims, establish accountability, and ensure appropriate legal measures are taken.

The LACC’s investigation comes in the wake of contentious expenses incurred by the UP-led government from January to August 2024. The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) reported off-budget expenditures amounting to US$15 million.

Expenditure Breakdown

Among the reported expenses, the government allocated US$2,307,609 to “unexplained miscellaneous” expenses and US$2.5 million for covert operations through the National Security Agency (NSA). The House of Representatives spent US$1.5 million on special sessions, while the Senate expended US$812,612 for similar purposes.

Other significant expenditures include:

– US$65,000 by the Ministry of State for the funeral of former Liberia Revenue Authority Commissioner General Thomas Doe Nah

– US$191,679 in contributions to the Muslim community

– US$30,880 for the funeral of Associate Justice Joseph Nagbe

– US$250,000 for completing the VIP lounge at Roberts International Airport

– US$28,000 for operational expenses of the Vice President’s Office

– US$25,000 for the funeral of James Quiqui

Additional notable expenses were:

– US$41,667 by the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) for fulfilling its mandate

– US$61,062 for Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency’s operational costs

– US$1,123,000 for purchasing armored and unarmored vehicles for the President and Vice President

– US$250,000 for recovery operations by the National Disaster Management Agency for miners trapped in Rivercess County

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) spent US$40,000 on the Miss Earth 2024 beauty pageant. The Ministry of State also reported US$30,000 for the funeral of Hon. Othello Gongar, US$10,000 for Dr. Robtel N. Pailey’s role as the national orator for Liberia’s 2024 Independence Day celebrations, and US$60,000 for the President’s engagements with community leaders.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs allocated US$500,000 for Independence Day celebrations, US$40,000 for the Mano River Union Conference, and US$100,000 for relocating Foreign Service employees. The Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) received US$453,000 for report production, while the Ministry of Justice spent US$291,552 on legal services for the SOLWAY Mining Liberia arbitration case.

LACC’s Commitment

Cllr. Zoe reaffirmed the LACC’s commitment to conducting the investigation with full transparency and independence. She added that the LACC will engage relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Finance and other oversight institutions, to ensure a thorough and fair inquiry.

“As the institution tasked with safeguarding public resources, we assure the public that no stone will be left unturned in this investigation. If evidence of wrongdoing is found, we will take necessary legal action, including recommending sanctions, prosecutions, and other corrective measures,” she stated.

She further called on the public, media, and all stakeholders to allow the investigation to proceed without premature speculation or assumptions, urging everyone to respect the principles of due process.

“Any allegations of financial mismanagement will be met with the full force of the law as part of our broader efforts to promote accountability and protect public funds. Let’s ensure that all findings are based on verifiable facts and evidence,” she added.

Public Criticism

The off-budget spending has faced strong criticism, most notably from House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. Speaking on the House floor, Speaker Koffa called for significant reforms to Liberia’s Public Financial Management Law.

He stated, “While we support this budget recast, we must commit to making substantial changes to how the budget is received, transmitted, and executed. Off-budget spending without adherence to governing laws is illegal and unacceptable.”

He emphasized that the Legislature must hold the executive branch accountable for violations observed in the recast budget and work toward a more transparent and lawful budget process moving forward.

While the LACC is yet to announced who will face questioning, the announcement is said to have caused the Boakai-Koung administration a serious embarrassment.

MONROVIA – On Tuesday, December 5, 2023, the Liberian Senate established that commissioners of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) are yet to declare and publish their assets as required by the act established by that body.

By Henry Karmo, henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

Senator Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado County raised the concern and requested the Liberian Senate to establish reasons behind the commissioners’ refusal to adhere to the act, which is one of the requirements for confirmation.

Senator Henrique Tokpah of Bong County, who chairs the Senate committee on autonomous agencies, confirmed that part of the document provided to his committee didn’t include asset declarations. The question is, how did they get confirmed to their various positions?

Earlier this week, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) mandated all outgoing officials, including President George Weah and Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, to declare their assets by December 12, 2023.

This declaration, part of the “Exit Declaration of Assets Notice,” requires a comprehensive list encompassing properties, financial holdings, investments, and other relevant financial interests.

The Executive Chairperson, Cllr. Alexandra Kormah Zoe, emphasized the necessity of this declaration, citing its role in ensuring transparency and accountability within the government. The process, guided by the New LACC Act of 2022, underscores confidentiality while necessitating accuracy and compliance with legal standards.

“LACC hereby issues this public notice to all OUTGOING OFFICIALS to declare their assets by filing an Asset Declaration form with the LACC no later than TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12TH, 2023,” said Cllr. Alexandra Kormah Zoe, the new Executive Chairperson of the LACC while reading the “Exit Declaration of Assets Notice” at the Commission’s headquarters on Tuesday.

“This information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality as provided for by the New LACC Act of 2022 and will be subject to verification to ensure accuracy and compliance with legal standards.”

During their confirmation, it was established that confirmation of certain nominees, appointed by President George Weah, may run afoul of the regulations established in the LACC Act.

Section 6.8 specifically prohibits the appointment of two individuals from the same county to serve as Commissioners on the LACC board. Uncovered information reveals that the current nominees for the positions of LACC Chairperson, Madam Alexandra Kormah-Zoe, and Commissioner of Prosecution, Cllr. David A. B. Wilson, both hail from Rivercess County, indicating a conflict that needs resolution.

With the recent conclusion of presidential and legislative elections, the LACC urges attention to governance responsibilities, including the vital task of asset declaration and verification among public officials.

The Commission’s notification aligns with the National Code of Conduct, mandating asset declaration for all government officials involved in decision-making processes and other key junctures of their public service.

In adherence to Part 10.1 of the National Code of Conduct, public officials must declare income, assets, and liabilities at specific intervals: prior to taking office, at the end of every three years, on promotion or progression from one level to another, upon transfer to another public office, and upon retirement or resignation to ensure a transparent and accountable governance framework.

Elections are not stolen on the day of voting. The steal happens long before or after. The Weah administration is setting the grounds for electoral fraud, through “legal ways.”

By Abdulaye Dukule, adukule@yahoo.com, Contributing Writer

The advisers of Weah were the same ones who advised Samuel K Doe and Charles G Taylor. “They are mischievous“”

We know where they led Doe, Taylor and the nation.

They are at it again.

The Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) indicted three senior government officials, including the Chair of the Elections Commission, the Minister of Agriculture and a member of the same LACC. Rather than fire the culprits, Weah decides to reorganize the LACC and force out its leadership.

This past week, the Senate passed a bill to re-organize the Elections Commission. The new law will require that all electoral magistrates throughout the country resign to reapply. Why just the magistrates and not the entire commission? This commission, led by a member of the ruling party, under indictment for stealing – cleared through technicalities- will be the one to recruit the magistrates.

Meanwhile, President Dr. Dr. (Rev.) George M Weah is in his church preaching. The Sunday after his ministers were indicted. There was no talk about politics. Pastor Weah in all white Mandingo gown was not quoting the scriptures, the sermon was about the hands of “invisible angels” that lifted him up every time people thought he was down. The flock responded with Amen Amen.

Sunday sermon was centered on his football biography. How he beat the odds. How every defeat turned to be victories. I thought about my other former President, Trump. So much self love!

We often talk about the resilience of the Liberian people. I would rather say “submissive.” Too many layers of trauma. Just as William R Tolbert started the slow healing process after 100 years of brutal rule, the military came in and started a reign of terror. Followed by a savage war. Fear and survival set in. Low self esteem developed. Expectations got lowered. Just being alive became a luxury.

Intergenerational trauma exists in societies that lived under occupation and force. From fighting for democracy in the 1970s, to opposing military rule and trying to survive during the wars, the society has continually lived in survival mode. Easily bought.

Those who advised the two most cruel leaders of our time – and survived them – are back to where they left it of. This is their last gig and they are going all out.

The Liberian political class welcome the sanctions filled the media. Opposition leaders  issued strong worded statements the move and called on the president to fire those sanctioned. But it will take more than press releases to make sure that Weah listen to them.

Monrovia – Cllr. A. Nbudusi Nwabudike had everything going for him. When newly minted President George Weah assumed the mantle of authority in January 2018, the Nigerian-born Nwabudike was called upon early on to head a Special Presidential Review Committee, constituted to probe into the Global Witness Report on the National Oil Company of Liberia.

Analysis by Rodney D. Sieh, rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com

That appointment set off a rising tide for the controversial lawyer who went on to win two other high-profile appointments, at the Governance Commission and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission.

Luck Runs Out for Roaming Appointee

In each of his previous appointments at both the GC and the LACC, Nwabudke was greeted with noise. In fact, although he was never confirmed during his time at the Governance  Commission although he went on the serve in the position until his appointment to head the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission.

Nwabudike’s fortunes began to take a dive toward the downward spiral in March this year, when President Weah nominated him to serve as head of the National Elections Commission.

Liberians greeted the appointment with roars of criticisms, refusing to hold back their resentment of having a foreign national under a cloak of controversy determining the fate of the next presidential elections. In the end, the Senate Committee on Autonomous Agencies and Commissions agreed and send the Nigerian packing.

The Senate rejection opened a new can of worms for Nwabudike.

Senator Dillon Draws Attention

On June 9, 2020, Senator Abraham Darius Dillon(Liberty Party, Grand Bassa) wrote the Senate Pro Temp Albert Chie, drawing attention to the matter of Nwabudike whose nomination to head the NEC was subsequently withdrawn by President Weah, following rigorous scrutiny by the Senate.

In his communication, Senator Dillon cited Part IV Section 6.3 of the Act creating the LACC, requiring  that only citizens of Liberia are qualified and eligible to serve on the commission.

Section 6.3 regarding Qualification states: “Each member of the Commission shall be a Liberian citizen of not less than thirty(30)years of age, of good moral character in the community, and with proven records in anti-corruption advocacy or professional training and/or experience in law, law enforcement, accounting, auditing  or a related field. The membership of the Commission shall also be drawn to reflect the broad spectrum of society; provided further that no two Commissioners shall have the same County of origin and all five(5) shall not be of the same gender.”

Senator Dillon argued that Cllr. Nwabudike, a citizen of Nigeria by birth, had not demonstrated or proven to be a Liberian. In fact, the Senator contended, the manner in which Nwabudiki acquired his iberian citizenship, as he claimed before the Senate is suspect.

Senator Dillon has been pushing for the Senate to take on the matter and ensure that the proper and appropriate measures be taken to uphold, protect and defend the integrity and credibility of the LACC from being abused and violated.

Last Friday, Nwabudke was dealt what may be the final nail in his coffin when the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) announced that it had come to a decision to expel the controversial figure from the bar.

In coming to its decision, the Bar, in a statement read by its President Tiawon Gongloe noted that the doubt raised by the Senate over the citizenship of Cllr. Nwabudike by extension, cast a very dark cloud over the integrity and credibility of the Liberian National Bar Association and the Judiciary in evaluating applicants for admission into the legal profession. “The LNBA felt duty bound to investigate and find out what the truth is relative to Cllr. Nwabudike’s Liberian citizenship. Therefore, the National Executive Council of the Liberian National Bar met and mandated the President of the Liberian National Bar Association to instruct the Grievance and Ethics Committee to launch a full scale investigation into this matter. As a professional body, the LNBA is under a duty at all times to constantly monitor and evaluate the moral and professional conduct of its members based on information acquired through complaints by individuals or through the public.”

The LNBA emphasized that the legal profession is unique among the professions in Liberia because it is the only profession that is given protection by the Constitution of Liberia. Article 21(i) of the Constitution provides,”… There shall be absolute immunity from any government sanctions or interference in the performance of legal services as a Counsellor or Advocate…”

“The LNBA is under a moral obligation to honor this protection provided by the Constitution of Liberia with the highest degree of integrity and credibility in order to prove to the people of Liberia that the legal profession is worthy of this unique protection. As the saying goes to whom much is given, much is expected. The LNBA therefore, could not ignore the issue of the citizenship status of one of its members when information provided by him created doubt over the authenticity and veracity of his claim of Liberian citizenship.”

– The Liberia National Bar Association

Nwabudike Ignored Request to Face Bar

A key factor that led to Nwabudke’s expulsion was his apparent refusal to honor an invitation from the bar to appear before them to address the controversy.

On April 2, 2020, the Grievance and Ethics Committee sent a letter to Cllr. Nwabudike, informing him of the mandate of the National Executive Council and inviting him to appear before the committee with all relevant documents in support of his claim of Liberian citizenship. “The Committee immediately communicated with the Liberian Immigration Service (LIS), the Clerk of the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Assisizes (B), the Dean of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law and the Clerk of the Supreme Court, in order to independently acquire relevant information pertaining to the citizenship of Cllr. Nwabudike.”

The Bar said, on April 6, 2020,  Cllr. Nwabudike wrote the Grievance and Ethics Committee to question the basis of the investigation.

According to the bar, Nwabudike contended that there was no complaint before the LNBA “challenging his citizenship”; (2) that he had not violated any provision of the Code of Professional Ethics governing the conduct of lawyers; (3) he argued that citizenship is given by the Government of Liberia and it is only the Government of Liberia that can challenge or revoke it; and (4) erroneously argued that the issue of his citizenship was now moot, since the issue was not raised when he was admitted as attorney-at-law and subsequently as counselor-at-law. He however promised to meet with the Grievance and Ethics Committee, in order to provide it further clarification. He copied the Chief Justice of the Honorable Supreme Court and the Minister of Justice on his reply to the letter from the Grievance and Ethics Committee.

On April 13, 2020, Cllr. Nwabudike was written aanother letter inviting him to appear before the Grievance and Ethics Committee on April 24, 2020, at 11:00AM, but he did not appear.

The Bar said, on April 27, 2020, Cllr. Nwabudike was sent aanother letter, asking him to appear before the same committee for investigation on April 30, 2020 at 11:00AM, but he did not appear. “Further, on May 6, 2020, Cllr. Nwabudike was written a letter to appear before the committee for a hearing on May 8, 2020, but he did not appear. On May 18, 2020, Cllr. Nwabudike was written to appear before the committee on May 27, 2020 for investigation, but he did not show up. Additionally, the Committee, invited him through two publications in the Inquirer Newspaper on May 11, 2020 and May 15, 2020 for appearance, but he failed to appear. These publications were also sent to Cllr. Nwabudike via DHL sent to him via DHL, yet failed, refused to appear, in complete disregard for the Liberian National Bar Association.”

‘Defiant Posture’ Sealed Fate

The Bar said it was left with no alternative but to expel Nwabudike due to his failure to honor its request to appear. “In view the defiant posture of Cllr. Nwabudike, as demonstrated by his deliberate failure and refusal to honor all the citations sent to him to appear for the inquiry that the Grievance and Ethics Committee was mandated by the National Executive Council to conduct, the Committee then proceeded to carry out its mandate by relying on independent sources for information on the validity of Cllr. Nwabudike’s Liberian citizenship.”

Cllr. Nwabudike’s saga was complicated by the fact that the the Liberian Immigration Service wrote a letter informing the Grievance and Ethics Committee that it did not have any record on Cllr. Nwabudike legal residency status or naturalization in Liberia.

Additionally, on April 6, 2020, the Committee obtained a clerk certificate from the Clerk of the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Assizes “B” Temple of Justice, informing it that it had no record about Cllr. Nwabudike’s residency or naturalization status.

The Bar says it also found a lot of inconsistencies with Cllr. Nwabudike, mostly based on documents obtained from the Senate Confirmation hearings of Cllr. Nwabudike and the pleadings in the record of the Civil Law Court on a petition for declaratory judgment filed by him, the Grievance and Ethics Committee found the following inconsistent information.

Among those was a purported certificate of naturalization presented to the Liberian Senate by Cllr. Nwabudike showed that the Nigerian was issued same by Criminal Court “B” at the Temple of Justice on May 13, 1982, when in fact that court was called the People’s Criminal Court “B” during the regime of the People’s Redemption Council (PRC), thereby creating more doubt.

The Bar, in its findings reported that a perusal of Nwabudike’s various passports showed his birth dates as October 19, 1960, October 2, 1963, October 2, 1965 and October 2, 1969. Also, his 2004 Liberian Passport carries his date of birth as October 2, 1963 and his name as A. Nkwuka Ndubuisi Nwabudike, instead of the name that appears on the roster of the Liberian National Bar Association and Supreme Court Bar which is A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike. Additionally, his Liberian National Identification card carries his date of birth as October 2, 1969 and his name as A. Ndubuisi Nkwuka Nwabudike; and his application for marriage certificate dated January 22, 1992, filled by himself in handwriting carries his name as A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike, his date of birth as October 19, 1960 and his nationality as Nigerian.

Ball in President Weah’s Court

Amid the findings, the Bar says it was left with no alternative but to give Nwabudike the boot.

“The committee, therefore, recommended that Cllr. A. Nbudusi Nwabudike be  expelled, consistent with Article II Section IX of the Constitution of the Liberian National Bar Association, which provides, “Any member may, after inquiry, be disciplined by means of suspension or expulsion from membership of the Association for proven gross misconduct in his relations to the Association or in his professional undertaking upon two thirds votes of the Membership of the National Executive Council.” At a meeting of the National Executive Council held at 3:00PM, on yesterday, May 18, 2020 here at the headquarters of the Liberian National Bar Association, the Grievance and Ethics Committee’s recommendation that Cllr. A. Nbudusi Nwabudike be expelled was approved by a vote of two thirds members of the National Executive Council of the Liberian National Bar Association. Hence, Cllr. A. N. Nwabudike is hereby expelled from the membership of the Liberian National Bar Association. His name is hereby stricken from the roster of the membership of the Liberian National Bar Association.”

Cllr. Nwabudike’s expulsion means he cannot practice law in Liberia, much less head the influential LACC.

In the coming days, the Bar says it intends to notify the office of the President of its decision. “This decision will be shortly communicated to the President of the Republic of Liberia, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia and all courts throughout the Republic of Liberian.”

Senator Dillon, in a Facebook post last Friday, reminded President Weah of his inauguration pledge: “Do not judge me based on the eloquence of my speeches, but the quality of the decisions I will make.”

Senator Dillon says he couldn’t agree more. “Sadly, the “decision” to keep Ndubuisi Nwabudike at LACC is of poor quality. Dismiss him now, right now.”

IF THE LIBERIA National Bar Association (LNBA) led by the no-nonsense human rights lawyer, Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe, can conclude after investigation that Cllr. A. Nbuisi Nwabudike is a fraudster, what more evidence does President George Manneh Weah need to kick him out as head of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission.

IT IS BECOME more that crystal clear that this Nigerian lawyer by virtue of the requirements as stated in Act that created the LACC does not deserve the privilege to serve as a corruption fighter.

FIRST OF ALL, Section 6.2 of the LACC Act states that “The five (5) Commissioners shall be nominated by the President. The President may consult the civil society pursuant to the partnership between Government and said civil society in the fight against corruption. Upon being confirmed by the Liberian Senate, the Commissioners shall subsequently be appointed and commissioned to their respective offices by the President.”

THE CRAFTERS of the Act were very cognizant of the role of the civil society in shaping the democratic growth and social justice in a nation. The President must note that several integrity civil society organizations began calling for his removal from the LACC after his disgraceful flop at the Senate.

SECTION 6.3 of the Act says, “Each member of the Commission shall be a Liberian citizen of not less than thirty (30) years of age, of good moral character in the community, and with proven records in anticorruption advocacy or professional training and/or experience in law, law enforcement, accounting, auditing or a related field. The membership of the Commission shall also be drawn to reflect the broad spectrum of society; provided further that no two Commissioners shall have the same County of origin and all five (5) shall not be of the same gender.”

MR. PRESIDENT, Cllr. Nwabudike has violated every line of this section. Frist of all, it is established that he’s not a Liberian citizen. Second, it is established that he forged documents or fraudulent obtained documents – that’s lack of moral.

MR. PRESIDENT, we cannot have an individual who has been proven to be entrenched in fraudulent activities leading the fight against corruption in the country.

MR. PRESIDENT, Section 6.8 of the LACC Act says “A Commissioner shall hold office during good behavior. A Commissioner shall be removed from office by the President for any gross breach of duty, misconduct in office, or any proven act of corruption.” Is it not glaring enough that Cllr. Nwabudike does not match up?

KEEPING NWABUDIKE at the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission would be another form of hypocrisy in the fight against corruption. It would also be an endorsement of fraud from the level of the Presidency. This is not the image we want for our country. Let the right thing be done, no matter which head falls.

MR. PRESIDENT, take a look at your Cllr. Nwabudike’s fraud as discovered by the LNBA:

ON APRIL 3, 2020, the Liberian Immigration Service wrote a letter informing the Grievance and Ethics Committee that it did not have any record on Cllr. Nwabudike legal residency status or naturalization in Liberia;

ON APRIL 6, 2020, the Committee obtained a clerk certificate from the Clerk of the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Assizes “B” Temple of Justice, informing it that it had no record about Cllr. Nwabudike’s residency or naturalization status;

FROM DOCUMENTS obtained from the Senate Confirmation hearings of Cllr. Nwabudike and the pleadings in the record of the Civil Law Court on a petition for declaratory judgment filed by him, the Grievance and Ethics Committee found the following inconsistent information:

A PURPORTED certificate of naturalization presented to the Liberian Senate by Cllr. Nwabudike showed that he was issued same by Criminal Court “B” at the Temple of Justice on May 13, 1982, when in fact that court was called the People’s Criminal Court “B” during the regime of the People’s Redemption Council (PRC), thereby creating more doubt;

A PERUSAL OF HIS various passports showed his birth dates as October 19, 1960, October 2, 1963, October 2, 1965 and October 2, 1969;

HIS 2004 LIBERIAN Passport carries his date of birth as October 2, 1963 and his name as A. Nkwuka Ndubuisi Nwabudike, instead of the name that appears on the roster of the Liberian National Bar Association and Supreme Court Bar which is A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike;

HIS LIBERIAN NATIONAL Identification card carries his date of birth as October 2, 1969 and his name as A. Ndubuisi Nkwuka Nwabudike; and

HIS APPLICATION for marriage certificate dated January 22, 1992, filled by himself in handwriting carries his name as A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike, his date of birth as October 19, 1960 and his nationality as Nigerian;

IN VIEW OF THE information received from the Liberia Immigration Service and First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Assizes “B” that there is no record to support Cllr. Nwabudike’s claim of Liberian citizenship, the existence of information showing gross inconsistency in his dates of birth and names, as well as, the fact that in his application to the Marriage Registry, he declared in his own handwriting in 1992  that he was a Nigerian Citizen,  the only valid, logical and common sense conclusion that could be reached by the Grievance and Ethics Committee was that he became a member of the Liberian National Bar Association through fraudulent means. It is a well-settled common law principle that fraud vitiates everything.

UPON YOUR OATH of office, Mr. President, you made two cardinal promises that were dear to the hearts of Liberians. You promised that Liberians will not be spectators in their own country. Now, why have a Nigerian heading an integrity institution like the LACC when the signs are sparkling on the wall?

MR. PRESIDENT, you also stated during your inaugural speech, “I further believe that the overwhelming mandate I received from the Liberian people is a mandate to end corruption in public service. I promise to deliver on this mandate.”

LIBERIA AS A NATION is what it is today because of the hypocritical nature in which we have always fought corruption. This country, a once promising star on the continent, came to a standstill through a senseless war because of corruption and the hypocrisy in the fight thereof. Many innocent people lost their lives. Women, children suffered untold atrocities. Innocent people endured some of the worst atrocities the human brain can imagine all due to the hypocritical nature in which corruption was being fought.

KEEPING NWABUDIKE at the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission would be another form of hypocrisy in the fight against corruption. It would also be an endorsement of fraud from the level of the Presidency. This is not the image we want for our country. Let the right thing be done, no matter which head falls.

A HINT TO THE WISE.