Monrovia—Senator Nathaniel F. McGill of Margibi County has raised serious accusations against Liberia’s Minister of Commerce, Amin Modad, alleging illegal wealth acquisition during Modad’s brief tenure in office. 

Senator McGill, a former Minister of State under ex-president George Weah, claims that Modad abused his position for personal gain and is calling for a formal investigation by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).

In a statement, Senator McGill disclosed that he will on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, present a communication to the Senate Plenary, urging immediate action.

“On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, we will submit a formal communication to the Senate Plenary, urging the LACC to launch an immediate investigation into allegations of fraud, abuse of power, and corruption involving the Minister of Commerce,” Senator McGill declared.

He accused Modad of failing to settle a $400,000 debt while serving as a board member of the former First International Bank (now SIB), which McGill claims contributed to the bank’s bankruptcy. 

Furthermore, he raised questions about Modad’s acquisition of a luxury yacht, which McGill compared in cost to the yacht once owned by former President William Tubman. 

The Margibi County Senator also noted that the Liberia Revenue Authority’s (LRA) illegally purchased a vehicle for Modad, arguing that the LRA, as a revenue collection agency, has no mandate to buy vehicles for government officials.

In response, Minister Modad issued a strongly worded statement refuting the accusations and shifting focus onto McGill’s own controversial past, including his placement on a U.S. sanctions list for alleged corruption and human rights abuses.

“I saw Hon. Nathaniel F. McGill’s post. It’s sad,” Minister Modad responded. “Search both our names and see who is on sanctions and has dirt on their integrity. His name is  linked to everything wrong with the last administration—from corruption and human rights issues to poor governance and ineptitude.”

Minister Modad, however, denied any personal wrongdoing, emphasizing that the vehicle in question was purchased for the Ministry of Commerce, with payments made directly to the vendor and no funds passing through his ministry or personal accounts.

“The vehicle was not custom-made and was certainly not purchased for $150,000 as has been falsely claimed. I’ve been using my personal vehicles, including an S-Class Mercedes, since I took office eight months ago, and I cover the costs of fuel and my driver’s salary myself,” Minister Modad added.

“I was amongst the first Ministers to declare my assets on April 11, detailing assets exceeding $15 million and a net worth of over $8 million. My declaration included a boat—not to be confused with a ‘yacht’. By the grace of God, I have been successful even before entering government and I have owned multiple boats in Liberia since 2010,” he added.

“My integrity is intact and my commitment is unwavering. I was a successful businessman for more than 25 years. Public records are there that I’ve owned boats, a beautiful home, and luxury cars for decades, before becoming a Minister. My assets, as declared on April 11, 2024 include a boat (not a yacht as being deceptively propagated).”

Minister Modad noted that the photos being posted portraying the vehicle in question “are in fact photos of former US President Trump’s vehicle.”

He disclosed that he has his personal vehicle (an S-Class Mercedes) and paid for its fuel and the driver’s salary out of pocket for the past eight months since becoming Minister with no burden on the ministry or government. 

“I’ve not acquired any new property since becoming minister than what I declared. For transparency, when I do, because I can afford it and I have nothing to hide, I’ll update my assets. I don’t need anyone or any business to buy my personal needs or a personal vehicle.”

He continued: “Over the last 20 years, I have purposely published and posted on Facebook any new investment and all my projects so that no one would one day accuse me of acquiring them illegally or after assuming public office. As far back as 2014, I posted photos of my boats. I did the same when I began building my home in 2008; the Facebook records are there.”

Minister Modad emphasized that he did not fight for a change in the governance of the country, risked his investments, and assumed his current position because of money.

“I did so to ensure that we build a credible government and a vibrant inclusive economy for future generations including mine’s.”

He pointed out that to demonstrate his commitment to change, in consideration of the conditions of the country, and to support the President’s agenda, he was amongst the first ministers to declare his assets, cut his salary by 40% as the President did, adding that, “as the record shows, I have refused all fees and compensation from all boards that I chair or sit on.”

He recalled that last year, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry projected revenue of US$3.8M, but achieved only US$1.9M; but due to the credibility and reforms brought to the Ministry, the amount of US$1.6M was generated within the first 5 months of his leadership.

According to him, the ministry is poised to generate between US$2.5M and US$3M by December this year.

He observed that despite the many factors impacting prices globally and domestically, the ministry managed to ensure that the prices of commodities including rice, petroleum, steel, etc continue to drop. 

‘We have opened the market ensuring that for the past 8 months, THERE HAS BEEN NO SHORTAGE OF RICE and other commodities on the market! In fact, we are experiencing some problems with the overflow.”

Minister Modad disclosed that in addition to the importers inherited, the ministry also granted permission to many Liberians to venture into rice importation. 

“We’ve also implemented key actions to protect and support local manufacturings with particular interest in seeing Liberians take charge of the economy and be involved in sustainable food production. We’ve negotiated financing and training opportunities that many Liberian MSMEs, women & youth, and smallholders are now benefiting from.” 

“I value my integrity and cherish this unique privilege to serve my people. I remain resolute and will not be deterred. We are all accountable for our actions and I’m prepared for any inquiry.”

He acknowledged the support of others who continue to remain objective and supportive, despite the false narratives and deceptive posts from few who survive on discord, crisis, and the distress of others; adding that, “some people in our society just enjoy bad news and to see others fall.”

Prior to ascending to the post of Minister of Commerce and Industry, Modad served as the Chairman emeritus of the governing Unity Party, owned and operated multiple businesses, including the famous Bella Casa Hotel and Atlantic Food Company, amongst others.

The exchange between Senator McGill and Minister Modad has intensified the political climate in Liberia, with corruption allegations flying in both directions. As the investigation unfolds, the LACC will play a crucial role in determining the truth behind the accusations, which could have significant implications for both political figures.

Monrovia- Margibi County Senator and former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Nathaniel McGill on Wednesday, August 21, appeared at the headquarters of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission for questioning, amid allegations of payroll padding and alleged corruption relating to salary payment.

By Willie N. Tokpah/willie.tokpah@frontpageafricaonline.com 

This follows a communication served him by the LACC as an initial investigation into allegations for a supplementary payroll containing 728 names at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs. 

This payroll was allegedly created outside the framework of the Civil Service Agency (CSA) under McGill’s directive during his time as Minister of State for Presidential Affairs.

The LACC stated that the supplementary payroll, which contained 728 names, was established under McGill’s instructions and was marred by irregularities, amounting to payroll administrative malpractice and corruption.

McGill’s appearance at the LACC on Wednesday morning, August 21 witnessed a troop of supporters, mostly, from the opposition Congress of Democratic Change led by its Youth Chairman, Alvin Wesseh. 

FrontPageAfrica also witnessed some dismissed Executive Protection Officers among the troop of supporters who gathered at the entrance of the LACC to show solidarity to their former party’s chairman, McGill.

The Margibi Senator was also accompanied by lawyers headed by Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus, who like McGill was sanctioned by the United States Government for alleged corruption in Liberia.

Cephus, however, told the media that he escorted Senator McGill as a friend to the closed-door inquiry.  

 Details of his discussion were not disclosed to the public, but Cllr. Cephus noted that there is no case against Senator McGill.

However, he noted that until an indictment is drawn, McGill will not oppose any investigation into alleged corruption, but stressed the need for the process to be holistic.

“We will cooperate with any investigation and thank the government for pursuing the matter and hope that it should be a holistic matter and should be based on evidence,” Cllr. Cephus noted. 

“There is no case and they should wait for an indictment, if there would be any.

We came here to show that we support the fight against corruption and the fact of the matter here is that the senator is innocent until proven guilty.”

While the LACC was conducting its investigation, FrontPageAafrica also witnessed the dropping in of some members of the CDC, led by its Youth League Chair, Alvin Wesseh.

Wesseh said their presence was to show solidarity with Senator McGill, whom they view as an outstanding individual within the CDC. 

“We are here to support not just the Chairman Emeritus, but the Chair of the CDC Progressive Legislative Caucus and we are here to provide support. Every time we assemble, the police take on a partisan posture, so we want to tell the police that you are not the ones with the highest salaries in government, but for each time Boakai stooges deploy you, you become a victim of political circumstances and begin to unleash casualties against your people,” Wesseh intoned. 

Mr. Wesseh described the move by the government to invite McGill for questioning into alleged payroll padding, during his tenure as Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, as a “witch hunt.”

 He sees said step by the government as a diversionary tactic following McGill’s stance raised against the $20 million the lawmaker discovered in the National budget without Legislative approval. 

McGill’s summoning comes on the heels of a damning audit report by the General Auditing Commission (GAC). The GAC reported there was no evidence that the Ministry developed policies to regulate the hiring and management of supplementary personnel. 

The audit revealed that 739 staff members were listed under the supplementary payroll, with an annual salary expense of US$2,622,060—more than 50% higher than the total salary expense for regular staff.

The GAC further noted there was no evidence that the Ministry budgeted and reported the salaries of supplementary personnel as a unique line item in the approved budget and financial/expenditure reports. Instead, the salaries were financed by reallocating funds from other budget items, including consultancy fees, without the required approval from the Deputy Minister of Budget and the Civil Service Agency.

McGill’s invitation for questioning by the LACC also followed his recent challenge to the United States and Liberian governments to investigate him and provide proof of his involvement in corruption. 

In a recent press conference, McGill called on both governments to address the sanctions imposed on him and to hold both past and current public officials accountable for their actions while in office.

Responding to the LACC invitation, he wrote on his Facebook, “They have requested my presence to provide information that will assist in their ongoing investigation into allegations of payroll padding and corruption related to salary payments on a supplementary payroll containing 728 names at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs.”

This marks the first time that Senator McGill has been summoned by a government body to respond to corruption allegations since being sanctioned by the United States government in August 2022.

For the past two years, McGill has repeatedly challenged the U.S. sanctions, insisting that he has no record of corruption during his tenure as Minister of State for Presidential Affairs.

Meanwhile, LACC Commissioner Samuel Darkina told journalists at the LACC headquarters that the investigation is still ongoing and the LACC would refrain from making further comments on the investigation until it is concluded.