MONROVIA — The prosecution has filed a formal response to the motion seeking the dismissal of charges against former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and his co-defendants, urging Criminal Court ‘C’ to reject the request. 

By Victoria G Wesseh

Judge Roosevelt Willie, who is presiding over the case, has heard legal arguments but reserved his ruling.

In its response, the prosecution argues that the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) is not part of the National Security Council (NSC) as defined by the National Security Reform and Intelligence Act of 2011. 

The prosecution claims that the FIA’s inclusion in the NSC was illegal and part of a scheme to divert public funds.

The motion to dismiss, filed by the defense, contends that the defendants were acting as agents and advisors to the President and the NSC through the FIA. They also argue that they had discretionary authority over matters related to national security and governance, and that the National Security Reform Law (SRI) of 2011 prevents the disclosure of any information obtained in their capacity as NSC members.

The defendants — Samuel Tweah, Cllr. Nyanti Tuan (former Acting Minister of Justice), Stanley S. Ford (former FIA Director General), D. Moses P. Cooper (former FIA Comptroller), and Jefferson Karmoh (former National Security Advisor) — are accused of economic sabotage, theft, illegal disbursement of public funds, criminal conspiracy, misuse of public money, and criminal facilitation by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).

The indictment claims that the defendants conspired to transfer US$500,000 and L$1,055,152,540 from the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) through the FIA’s operational account, violating the Financial Intelligence Agency Act of 2022.

In its response, the prosecution highlights Section 2 of the National Security Reform and Intelligence Act, which lists the agencies recognized under Liberia’s national security framework. 

The prosecution notes that the FIA is not included as a statutory law enforcement agency and is not part of the NSC. Additionally, it emphasizes Section 11, which allows the NSC Secretary to maintain independent procurement and accounting systems, and stresses the importance of annual audits by the General Auditing Commission.

The prosecution also argues that, even if the defendants’ actions were prohibited by law, they cannot claim immunity from criminal investigation or prosecution due to their positions within the NSC. The prosecution asserts that the motion to dismiss should be denied.

The defense argues that the indictment violates principles of statutory and executive immunity, criminalizes constitutionally protected acts, and risks exposing sensitive government information. 

They maintain that as former members of the NSC, the defendants were following duties outlined by the National Security Council Reform and Intelligence Act of 2011, which protects them from disclosing NSC-related information.

The defense also argues that judicial review of the NSC’s actions could breach national security protocols and should not be subject to court scrutiny. They further assert that the court lacks jurisdiction over the NSC’s operations and that the charges should be dismissed.

Monrovia — Former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah has refuted claims that he fled justice, clarifying that his extended stay outside Liberia following his indictment by the Government of Liberia was to ensure his return under the proper legal circumstances, not an attempt to escape prosecution.

By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)-websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

In a Facebook post on Thursday, September 26, Tweah stated, “Who and what would I be if I fled from my country? I had left Liberia since January 23, 2024 and was in no way a fugitive from justice. After the politically manipulated indictment, I had to ensure I return under the correct legal circumstances,” Mr. Tweah posted to Facebook on Thursday, September 26.

In July, the Government of Liberia issued an arrest warrant for Tweah and five others, accusing them of corruption. Those indicted include former National Security Adviser Jefferson Karmoh, State Prosecutor Nyenati Tuan, Moses Cooper, head of accountancy at the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA), and FIA Chief Stanley Ford. They face charges of economic sabotage, theft, and illegal disbursement of funds, all alleged to have occurred during the administration of former President George Weah.

Karmoh, Tuan, and Cooper were detained at the Monrovia Central Prison after failing to post bail but were later released when their lawyers secured bonds. Tweah and FIA Chief Ford were abroad at the time, leaving their whereabouts uncertain.

Tweah: ‘Indictment a witch-hunt’

On Wednesday; Mr. Tweah made a surprise arrival to Liberia to defend himself against allegations of multiple crimes against him, amidst public perception that he was escaping justice.

Tweah appeared before Criminal Court “C” Wednesday morning, September 25, moment after he entered the country during the early morning.

However, upon Tweah’s arrival Wednesday, his lawyers presented a property valuation bond as surety, valued at US$ 8,000,000.00(Eight Million United States Dollars), which was duly registered, probated, and authorized by law to be sureties.

Judge Blamo Dixon, who presided over the case, accepted the bond, allowing Tweah to avoid detention.

Tweah, on September 26, posted to social media (Facebook) that his first day appearing in court shows that Liberian jurisprudence is in its finest days in the administration of independent and transparent justice. 

“A judge rebuked attempts by a sitting Liberian Government to weaponize and bastardize the judiciary to achieve political glory at the expense of former officials of Government. It is a day that will rest in eternal fame.”

He added: “Since the witch-hunt against my person, I have informed Liberians via this very social media space that I was coming to face my accusers and vindicate my name.”

Tweah furthered that he was advised by

several persons against his coming to Liberia, arguing that the intention of the Unity Party-led administration was to merely have him paraded unjustly in handcuffs as some ‘posterboy’ for its already doomed ‘fight against corruption.’ 

“As fearless as I am and knowing I am innocent of the bogus charges, I took in all the advice but countered that there was no way or no chance that I would not return to Liberia, even at the cost of my unjust and politically-motivated imprisonment,” he said.

Tweah added: “There were those who argued that it is within a judge’s rights to deny even a bond worth a billion United States dollars, to which I gladly responded then that would be my fate and I must prepare to face and accept it.”

He stressed that there had to be men and women who would stand for the upright enforcement of the law as it is written, who could resist the threats, blandishments, or emoluments from a sitting Government sworn to pervert Liberian law as it has already copiously done in service of demonizing political opponents for political glory.

“And so yesterday as the judge dictated his ruling that I was entitled to bail under our laws and constitution, that I am now under the jurisprudence of the court and am a free citizen protected by bail from illegal arrests or harassment, tears welled in my eyes. I knew I could somewhat trust our judiciary system. I didn’t know it was going to be this overwhelming,” he explained.

MONROVIA – What former President George Weah said he left in the government’s consolidated account and what President Joseph Boakai says he met in the consolidated accounts continue to create confusion among Liberians, yet the special reconciliation audit conducted by the General Auditing Commission Report appears to have deepened the confusion.

By Lennart Dodoo, ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

Former President George Weah’s farewell message on January 21st claimed a Consolidated Fund balance of US$40,044,305.90  on January 19, 2024 and President Boakai stated that the consolidated balance was US$20.5 Million on January 19, 2024 during his State of the Nation Address.

The purpose of the Special Reconciliation Audit on the net account balances of the Consolidated Fund Accounts as at January 17 and 19, 2024 was to establish the true balances of the Consolidated Fund amidst different values of the balances of the Consolidated Fund.

What the GAC Reported

The General Auditing Commission determined that as of January 19, 2024, the gross balance of the Consolidated Account at Central Bank of Liberia amounted to US$50,161,966.74. The book balance, according to the audit, stood at US$43,243,823.77. While there were several cheques amounting to US$9,144,138.95 and L$457,680,522.71 were issued beyond the statutory six months period and had not been cashed by the respective payees as at January 17, 2024. Similarly, the GAC  also observed that several cheques amounting to US$11,836,676.49 and L$ 457,680,522.71 were issued beyond the statutory six months period and had not been cashed by the respective payees as at January 19, 2024.

In the GAC’s opinion, with the outstanding cheques factored in, while the Government of Liberia’s book balance stood at US$43,243,823.77, the reconciled cash balance totaled US$6,918,142.97, representing the Government’s cash position.

Both President’s Deceived – Amara Konneh

Gbarpolu County Senator, Amara Konneh, who heads the Senate Public Accounts and Audit Committee and played a key role in seeking the audit and reconciliation of the government’s consolidated accountants, stated in a Facebook post:

“…The Auditor General of the Republic of Liberia concludes that as of January 19, 2024, the gross balance of the Consolidated Account at CBL was US$50,161,966.74. The GOL book balance with outstanding cheques was US$43,243,823.77.  Therefore, the reconciled Cash balance was US$6,918,142.97. This was the GoL’s cash position.

“The key message in this aspect of the report is that both leaders were misled by their respective teams due to their lack of due diligence on this important matter that dogged the 2017 transition between former Presidents Johnson Sirleaf and Weah.”

Ironically, the current Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Boima Kamara was the Minister of Finance at the end of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s tenure.

Outstanding Cheques Vs. Commitments

In an attempt to provide some nuance to the GAC Report, the former Comptroller General, Janga Kowo, emphasized the importance of context in understanding the GAC findings.

Kowo asserts that the GAC report does not challenge the accuracy of the actual cash balance reported by the previous government as of January 17, 2024.

Kowo further pointed out a crucial distinction regarding outstanding checks and commitments. He argued that while these items may be listed as liabilities, their deduction from the reported cash balance is speculative since they do not necessarily result in immediate cash outflows. According to him, this distinction is particularly significant because the Government of Liberia operates on a cash basis accounting system, meaning transactions are recorded when cash is received or disbursed.

“Subtracting outstanding Checks and commitments, which may not necessarily result into cash deduction is hypothetical. Because the GOL operates a Cash Basis Accounting  System, the Cash Reported by the former Government stands Confirmed by the report. The present Government will not make all the payments listed as Outstanding Checks or Commitment,” he stated.

Tweah: Controverting Figures for Political Purpose

Also arguing the interpretation of the GAC Report, the Weah era Finance Minister, Samuel D. Tweah, opined that the Unity Party-led government has been manipulating the figures relating to the balances of the consolidated accounts for political gains.

According to Tweah, the Unity Party’s denial of the US$43 million left by the former President in the consolidated accounts springs from the fact that the Unity Party left US$7 million in the accounts when the CDC government took over in 2018.

“Since CDC number was bigger than UP’s number, someone was not happy! This Is how low and cheap liberian politics has become,” Tweah stated.

Twea: “Did the GAC confirm US$46 million cash available on that day? Yes! Did President Weah say US$41 million cash was available on that day? Yes. Did President Weah say anything about Government obligations? NO. Should President Weah have reported ‘reconciled numbers’? Hell no. Cash balances on a daily basis are in real time. Reconciliation  comes after so many things that may or may not happen over time.  Reconciliation is done at the end of an accounting period. The political tradition since 2018 is you say how much you are leaving in cash and in reserve.”

Monrovia – Minister of Finance Samuel Tweah says that Liberia meeting the requirements of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Scorecard has changed the negative narrative that the opposition had been promoting five years ago.

MCC’s scorecards play an important role in the competitive selection process to determine which countries are eligible to establish a five-year grant agreement known as a compact. A country is considered to have “passed” the scorecard when it fulfills at least 10 of the 20 indicators, which include the “Control of Corruption” indicator and either the “Civil Liberties” or “Political Rights” indicator.

In the 2024 fiscal year report released by the MCC, Liberia’s performance exceeded expectations by passing 14 of the 20 indicators. These 14 indicators encompass various aspects, including fiscal policy, inflation, political rights, civil liberties, control of corruption, trade policy, rule of law, freedom of information, gender in the economy, land rights and access, health expenditures, access to credit, employment opportunities, and immunization rates.

Addressing journalists in Monrovia a day after the news broke about the MCC scorecard, the Minister said that the high pass on the MCC scorecard shows that all criticism from opposition politicians is untrue and meant to make the government unpopular.

“No President has faced the difficulties that President Weah has faced. There has been a President who did not have to deal with the democratic right, who had all the power to themselves and no restraint. Meaning, anything the president says is ok. If you criticize him, he puts you in jail. But he (President Weah) has made our democracy to an extent where people can criticize him freely, and he cannot do anything to them. If somebody lies to you and says you steal, you cannot do anything because the person’s constitutional rights are protected,” Minister Tweah said.

The finance minister added: “George Weah is the first social media president. There will be another social media president coming after President Weah, but he is the first one to start dealing with the lies and the propaganda that have now been dispelled by the high pass of the MCC scorecard that we are talking about here today.”

He further stated that based on the global economic situation, the propaganda and lies from critics have made some Liberians turn against the CDC-led government.

Minister Tweah continues: “The government’s biggest challenge in the last five years is nothing more than propaganda and lies. That was our biggest challenge. Our biggest challenge is that masses of Liberians throughout the country have been fed with garbage and lies packaged in a way that makes people want to believe it, especially during tough economic times. So, the circumstances aided and abetted the lies because of the tough global economic situation. Politicians say anything, and it makes the people angry, and they get frustrated.”

According to Minister Tweah, the success of the MCC scorecard did not happen overnight. It shows that the government has been working since the inception of the CDC-led government five years ago.

“Everything that is coming up through the MCC scorecard today did not happen today. The food has been cooked, and we are eating the soup now after cooking it three to four years ago. So, now that you are eating, you must appreciate the time the food was on the fire,” he said.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an independent U.S. foreign aid agency established in 2004 under the leadership of Republican President George W. Bush. The agency’s mission is to foster economic growth, open markets, and enhance living standards in select countries. The MCC applies specific criteria to guide its work abroad, focusing on indicators that measure a country’s commitment to good governance, economic freedom, and investment in its citizens. Selected countries receive substantial grants to finance projects aimed at reducing poverty through sustainable economic growth. These projects typically involve infrastructure development, institutional reform, and the expansion of access to healthcare and education. MCC grants may complement other U.S. and international development programs. The MCC provides two primary types of grants: compacts and threshold programs.

Compacts are large, five-year grants awarded to countries that meet MCC’s eligibility criteria, while threshold programs are smaller grants provided to countries that come close to meeting these criteria and are dedicated to improving their policy performance. Liberia has been benefiting from MCC support since July 2010 when a three-year, US$15 million threshold grant was launched. This program concluded in December 2013. In January 2016, the MCC and Liberia initiated a five-year, US$257 million compact aimed at spurring economic growth and poverty reduction in Liberia.

The primary focus of this compact was to address the lack of reliable and affordable electricity access in the country, as well as the poor quality of road infrastructure. A significant portion of the funding was allocated to the revival of the Mt. Coffee Hydro Power Plant, and the compact was successfully completed in January 2021.

The remarkable performance of the Weah administration for the fiscal year 2024 marks a significant turning point, breaking the chain of previous failures. Since its inception in 2017, the current administration has been actively pursuing a second compact. This latest MCC report provides a boost to Liberia’s prospects of re-entering the program. It comes at a crucial time as President Weah faces a tough re-election battle against his political rival, former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai.

MONROVIA – Under the Contempt Charge, the Plenary of the Liberian Senate on Tuesday 22 November mandated its Sergeant-at-Arms Brg. General, Toe Cheleh Toe to produce the living body of the Finance Minister  Samuel Tweah before Plenary on Thursday, 24 November  12 noon.

The Senate’s decision comes as a result of Minister Tweah’s refusal to honor a citation from that august body to appear.

During his appearance he will be made to state why he should not be held in contempt by the Senate for his failure to appear before the august dody after several citations.

The minister was invited on more than two occasions to appear before the Senate to explain how the eleven million United States dollars that was allotted in the current budget as subsidy for the importation of rice was used. 

Should he appear, the minister will also address the issue of delay in salary disbursement to public defenders, prosecutors as well as civil servants across the country.

The decision was reached based on a concern raised by Senator Jonathan Boy-Charles-Sogbie (ANC-Rivergee County), who  asked his colleagues to probe speedily into matters relating to statement made by the chairman of the National  Association  of Prosecutors,  regarding a strike and neglect of court duties by Public Defenders based on delay  of their salaries and other benefits.

Senator Sogbie explained that actions taken by Prosecutors are worrisome and could lead to over crowdedness in prisons, most of which detainees on pretrial will be further delayed and at such, care needs to be taken.

At the same time, some senators expressed regrets about the situation at hand and called on Plenary of the Liberian Senate to take meaningful actions in saving the state. 

Meanwhile, the Minister Tweah is expected to appear with before Plenary with his lawyer, FrontPageAfrica has gathered.

Monrovia – Samuel D. Tweah, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning says in the next six years Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) will transform Liberia more than any other government in the history of Liberia.

“Our greatest enemy is time. We need more time to flush out the broad purpose of development. In six years, George Weah will have ample time to take Liberia to where no man has ever taken it before,” he said.

The minister’s statement follows the historical passing of the 2023 Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) scorecard. The last time Liberia made a pass of the scorecard was with 10 out of 20 indicators.

This year, Liberia passed 12 out of the 20 indicators. The country is now eligible for consideration for a compact, after failing miserably in 2021.

Speaking over the weekend at a dinner organized in honor of the Finance Minister by the Mayor of Monrovia Jefferson T. Koijee, Minister Tweah told the gathering that his team is dealing with compact-related problems something he says will be addressed soon.

The Minister of Finance furthers that the board of the 2023 Millennium Challenge Corporation will be meeting soon to consider Liberia’s application.

Tweah said: “We will present a strong case that the recent passing of the MCC scorecard shows sustained and even indicators where we had not passed -we are almost passing all across. So, it shows that we are committed to fighting corruption, and it shows that we are making investments all across the sectors. We are going to put more investment in education and health going forward.”

“And so, we are looking for more resources from the United States and we are grateful for the first MCC compact, we love MCC support because it is tied to the private sector. It resolves constraints. When get the MCC grant means you are doing something concrete to bring people out of poverty,” he said.

Mr. Tweah still speaking said the tough decisions taken by President George Weah during the early stage of his regime have led the country to the successful passing of the 2023 Millenium Challenge Corporation, (MCC) scorecard.

According to him, since the inception of the CDC-led government, there have been lots of fights to reform the governance structure of Liberia.

“For his (Weah) administration to pass, is a clarion call to the world that everything that has been said about this man (Weah) since his ascendency is rubbish because the MCC calculation is not politically-based -their interest is in evidence and data,” Minister Tweah.

He added: “The MCC scorecard has validated that we are good in justice, we are giving people economic freedom and we are investing in people. We are controlling corruption. We have started the most significant step within corruption.”

Liberia Will Pass 15 Indicators Next Year

Also, Liberia’s Finance Minister speaking says despite the passing of 12 indicators this year, Liberia is certain to pass 15 indicators next year.

The Minister says he will be calling a major meeting of all of the government entities to say thank you to everybody for the passing of the MCC scorecard.

“We are going to look at our compact itself, how we are approaching the state’s department, the MCC, and everything about the compact,” he said.

For the first time, we have 12 now. Given the tenacity of the government and all of the entities giving their determination to work under the auspices of the President, we are going to pass 15 indicators next year.

MONROVIA – FrontPageAfrica has gathered that Medina Wesseh, the Secretary General of the Mano River Union, has put up an adamant posture in the wake of President Weah’s call for her to turn over office to the newly appointed Secretary General, Mariah G. Harrison.

FrontPageAfrica has seen a communication from the Minister of Finance, Samuel Tweah to Mrs. Wesseh informing her of President Weah’s appointment of Mrs. Harrison after consultation his counterparts in the MRU Region.

The communication reads:

Ambassador Wesseh:                                                      

With compliments, I am pleased to formally inform you of the decision, on September 7, 2022, by His Excellency, Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia, to name Mrs. Maria G. Harrison to succeed you as Secretary-General of the Mano River Union (MRU).

Subsequent to that decision, His Excellency met with his Sierra Leonean and Ivorian counterparts on September 22, 2022, and briefed them on his nomination of a new Secretary General (SG) for the MRU. Based on these consultations, MRU member countries have endorsed the nomination of the new SG, and interpose no objections.

Accordingly, and within the spirit of MRU solidarity, I urge you to finalize the necessary modalities to enable Mrs. Harrison to assume office as soon as possible. Since this is only a replacement, I would propose that a formal turnover ceremony be held between October 11 and 15, 2022.

Meanwhile, on behalf of the Government of Liberia, I would like thank you for the invaluable services rendered over the past five years, which have further enhanced cooperation and integration within the MRU. I extend to you best wishes in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Samuel D. Tweah, Jr.

MINISTER

FrontPageAfrica could not get comments from Amb. Wesseh. However, FrontPageAfrica gathered that Amb. Wesseh has been reneging to yield to the President’s mandate.

Min. Tweah confirmed this when he was contacted by FrontPageAfrica. He said,

“I have officially written her and I have called her severally but she has not responded. I am now raising the issue with my colleagues in the region. I understand there are transition formalities in such turnover processes but usually, the outgoing official works with the Government to perfect those processes, not at cross-purposes with the Government, which Mrs. Wesseh appears to be doing. I would encourage her to professionally and respectfully turn over since her tenure has long since expired.”

Amb. Wesseh has held the position since 2017.

The Mano River Union (MRU) is an international association initially established between Liberia and Sierra Leone by the 3 October 1973 Mano River Declaration. It is named for the Mano River which begins in the Guinea highlands and forms a border between Liberia and Sierra Leone. On 25 October 1980, Guinea joined the union.

The goal of the Union was to “accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural advancement of our two countries … by active collaboration and mutual assistance in matters of common interest in economic, social, technical, scientific and administrative fields”. However, due to internal conflicts within the two original MRU countries (the Sierra Leone Civil War [1991-2002] and the First [1989-1997] and Second Liberian Civil Wars [1999-2003]), these objectives could not be achieved. The staff numbered 600 in 1986, but was down to 300 in 1993, then to 120, and 48 in 2000.

On 20 May 2004, the Union was reactivated at a summit of the three leaders of the Mano River Union states: Presidents Lansana Conté of Guinea and Ahmad Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone and Chairman Gyude Bryant of Liberia. On 15 May 2008, Cote d’Ivoire agreed to join the union.

MONROVIA – The Government of Liberia has issued administrative control measures intended to reduce growth in its wage bill, as well as to ensure efficiency in the allocation of the National Budget.

According to the Wage Bill Control Regulation, endorsed by Cabinet on March 9, 2020, all employments and promotions within the central government have been centralized through the Civil Service Agency and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and are subject to the agreed establishment posts of the spending entities as well as the availability of budgetary allocation. 

New employment or promotion of existing employees will have to be co-approved by the designated authorities of the CSA and MFDP.

Additionally, as part of the new administrative expenditure control measures, all new employments across Government shall be thoroughly vetted and duly authorized through the CSA and MFDP before placement on the wage bill. 

The regulation clarifies that these new employments will mainly focus on employments in social services sectors such as health and education, in addition to the security sector.

To sustain the removal of ghost employees, the Wage Bill Control Regulation emphasizes the reinforcement of  biometric enrollment of all employees across the central government and requiring National Identification Numbers (NIN) for all employees of the Government of Liberia before the end of the March, 2020. 

The Regulation warns that employees failing to meet end of March 2020 deadline will not receive their salaries beginning the month of March until their respective agencies submit their national biometric identification cards to the Inter-Agency Wage Bill Harmonization Team.

The Administrative Wage Bill control Regulation has also mandated the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and the Civil Service Agency, through the Interagency Wage Harmonization Team, to complete the harmonization and standardization of pay across all State-Owned Enterprises (SoEs), consistent with the National Standardization Act of 2019 before the end of June 2020. All State-Owned Enterprises (SoEs) are required to adhere to the measures contained in the regulation to support Government’s efforts to efficiently manage the country’s scarce public resources..

The National Payroll Ghost Removal Taskforce, which has been constituted by His H.E. President George M. Weah, comprises four agencies of government: The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Internal Audit Agency, the Civil Service Agency, and the National Identification Registry.  

The Taskforce will be chaired by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning through the Liberia Macroeconomic Policy Analysis Center (LIMPAC), the research and policy think tank within the MFDP that is currently leading on the on-going wage harmonization and standardization exercise.  LIMPAC shall supervise the daily activities of the Taskforce as well as forge persistent collaboration with other members and the spending entities of interest to identify and immediately remove or blocked ghost employees from the government payroll.

As Co-Chair of the taskforce, the Internal Audit Agency is mandated to institute physical audits of payrolls for entities on interest and provide findings to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning through LIMPAC and the Civil Service Agency  for immediate actions.

The Taskforce will institute headcounts of all government employees at various spending entities across Liberia, and Foreign Missions outside of Liberia. The headcount will focus on employees who have been assigned pay grade and are currently enlisted on the automated payroll system of the Government of Liberia.  The ghost removal taskforce is given a six-month mandate beginning March 2020 to comprehensively and sustainably clear the public sector wage bill of ghost employees.

New Castle, Delaware – The Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) says it welcomes the swift and robust action taken by the Liberian government in bringing to justice the alleged perpetrators linked to the missing 16 billion Liberian dollars scandal in the country.  But the Association is cautioning the government against acts that insinuate selective justice in how the matter and the unaccounted-for US 25 million dollars mop-up exercise are being handled.

ALJA says the recent arrest and detention of five current and former executives of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) including former Governor, Milton Weeks, and Deputy Governor, Charles Sirleaf, for their alleged roles played in the missing 16 billion Liberian dollars scandal is praise worthy, but it is calling on the Weah administration not to limit the ongoing fight against corruption in Liberia to the accused.

In a press release issued on March 4, 2019, ALJA urged President Weah to muster the courage in taking similar actions in bringing to justice Liberia’s Finance and Development Planning Minister, Samuel Tweah and others, implicated in the mismanagement of the government’s US 25 million dollars mop-up exercise.  ALJA insists if the ongoing prosecution of the CBL executives for alleged economic crime is to be seen as credible and impartial than, the need for Minister Tweah and others, who implemented the mismanaged mop-exercise to face justice cannot be overstated.

The Association said beginning July 2018 to October 2018, the Finance and Development Planning Minister as chairman of the Liberia Economic Management Team (EMT) in collaboration with the CBL authority reportedly supervised the physical purchase of Liberian dollar banknotes from local businesses and foreign exchange bureaus in keeping with the government’s mop-up initiative, which focused on the rejuvenation of the Liberian economy through the elimination of excess Liberian dollars from the market.

However, ALJA quoting the US based Kroll Inc, a Division of Duff and Phelps’ recently release Scoping Report: Independent Review Regarding Allegations of the Disappearance of New Liberian Banknotes, maintained the Minister and the CBL authority reportedly executed the US 25 million dollars mop-exercise without a clearly documented strategy as to how the money was spent.

The Association said while it acknowledges and supports the prosecution of the arrested and detained CBL executives for their complicity in the missing 16 billion Liberian dollars scandal, it strongly believes the Finance and Development Planning Minister and other linked to the US 25 million dollars mop-up exercise, should also, be investigated and made to fully account for how the people’s money was spent.

The Americas based Liberian journalists quoting the legal maxim “He who comes into equity must come with clean hands,” said it sets a bad precedent for the CDC led government to focus solely on the prosecution of former Governor Weeks, Deputy Governor Sirleaf and the other accused while ignoring the indicated failure of Minister Tweah and the others to account for the US 25 million dollars used for the Weah administration professed mop-up exercise.

Meanwhile, ALJA is reminding President Weah that if his pronounced fight against corruption and dishonesty in the public sector is to be taken seriously then he must begin to hold all public officials accountable, especially those linked to acts that are inimical to the peace and stability of Liberia. “Mr. President, you can’t fight graft by cherry picking in terms of who gets prosecuted or not when economic crimes are committed by government officials,” the ALJA press release quoted the Association’s National President, Moses D. Sandy, as saying.