Liberia Corruption Watch

Former President Mbeki who is on a four day visit to Liberia as Chairman of the UN High Level Panel on illicit capital flow, made the statement when he addressed a joint session of the 53rd National Legislature at the Capitol Building yesterday.

He said the eradication of poverty from the continent to ensure development is fundamental to achieving the renewal of the continent, noting that addressing the taking away of funds from the continent is vital.

Public officials are often being accused of collecting hard earned money paid by tax payers for foreign travels but would endup not going overseas to attend medical check-up.

The latest incident reportedly involves Grand Kru Representative, G. Wesseh Blamo, who is Chairman of the Committee on Executive at the Lower House.

A document in our possession shows that Representative Blamo allegedly signed for US$10,088.00 for foreign travel only to go to his native Grand Kru instead.

The Judge at the Criminal Court “C”, Yussif D. Kaba, on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 ordered a new trial for former police boss Beatrice Munah Sieh-Brown and four others. The former police chief and four others were indicted on several counts of crimes ranging from theft of property, economic sabotage, criminal conspiracy and criminal facilitation by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), an indictment the accused have since denied.

The Corruption virus which has pervaded the Liberian society and undermined the credibility of individuals and institutions, including government and private entities has reportedly arrived at the doorsteps of the Liberia National Students Union (LINSU) which is supposed to be a bastion of hope for future generations.

The Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company (LPRC) has partly concurred with claims by a whistleblower linking him and other officials of the company to financial improprieties.

In an open letter addressed to President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf published in the New Democrat Newspaper in March, a whistle blower identified as Mr. Kabineh Sumawolo amongst other things alleged that the management of LPRC was stealing thousands of dollars from the company.

The Mary Broh saga that has rocked the Legislative and Executive branches of the Liberian Government and the entire capital in the past week appears to be knocking heads together in the Senate With Montserrado County Senior Senator Joyce Freeman-Sumo openly accusing Senate Pro-Tempore Gbezonhgar Milton Findley of compromising the interest of the upper House to gain favor from the Executive.

Monrovia - Ecobank Liberia says it is putting in place a system that will reduce cash carrying with a goal to reduce the rate of robbery and Fraud at various Ecobank branches in Liberia. Mr. Kola Adeleke, the bank’s Liberia Managing Director said the move is part of effort to ensure that the bank fulfill its vision of becoming more successful by focusing most of its attention on electronic and internet banking.

[B]We must all come to the reality that the County Development Funds are being wasted and it is time to bring an end to this madness until a reputable monitoring body can be set up to provide oversight. Allowing lawmakers a free ride over taxpayers’ funds is the biggest mistake Liberia has ever made and one we may one day soon, live to regret. [/B]

The Government of Liberia has stepped up serious action against dismissed Director of the Liberia Aviation Authority (LAA), Ellen Corkrum for what the Ministry of Transport terms as breach of her contract and violating the PFM and PPCC laws.

By Thomas Doe Nah
Few years ago, I worked at one of our local banks as portfolio administration officer tasked with managing and collecting loans from clients across Monrovia. On reflection, I remember walking under the excruciating sun and interacting with clients as I talked them into repaying their loans. On many occasions they handed me a check or bundles of cash. Cash! On some occasions several thousands and I had to place that money in a black plastic bag and risk walking back to the bank without attracting attention to myself. Returning to the bank I deposited the funds against clients’ accounts. Interesting job, and I enjoyed it.

Investigation by this paper has revealed that the Ministry of Lands, Mines & Energy is in flagrant violation of the 2010 Investment Act of Liberia by grating sand mining licenses to Chinese companies.
Chinese companies are heavily involved in sand mining and sales in several parts of the country, but the Ministry of Commerce has declared that such business by any foreigner or company is a violation of the country's law.

Police spokesman Sam Collins has confirmed that the Liberia National Police is still investigating the US$1.2 million fraud at the First International Bank (FIBANK) Liberia Ltd.

-As Reps., Pres. Sirleaf’s Patience Ware Out
In the wake of last Thursday’s hullabaloo over the gangster style manner employed by Acting Monrovia City Mayor Mary Broh, to snatch away from the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives, Brig. Gen. Martin Johnson, Montserrado County Superintendent, Madam Grace Kpaan, found guilty of ‘Contempt’ and ordered detained for three days at the Monrovia Central Prison, the two women now find themselves in double trouble.

Rubbishes Indicted Police Boss’ Claim
The Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), Cllr. Frances Johnson Allison, has described as absolute rubbish and irresponsible, allegations made against her by indicted former Police Boss, Mrs. Beatrice Munah Sieh Browne who is facing theft of property, & economic sabotage case.

-Charged Along With Others By Justice Ministry
The adage “the child that says its ma will not sleep, it ought to stay up all night long as well” has caught up with controversial then acting Monrovia City Mayor, Mary Broh. It appears that Madam Broh’s recent display at the Monrovia Central Prison to obstruct the decision of the House Representatives against Montserrado County Superintendent did not go well with the Executive Branch of Government, including the head of State. The Public Agenda attended a news conference at the Justice Ministry on Tuesday where the government has revealed its latest action against the already suspended Mayor and now reports.

Massive ‘Jen-jen’ Awaits Him
-Borough University Students Want Him Suspended Indefinitely
Latest information reaching our news desk, says the man secretly recorded soliciting the theft of development funds allotted to Montserrado County, by suspended and disgraced Superintendent, Grace T. Kpaan, Representative Edward S. Forh, a controversial stalwart of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change, is expected to arrive back in the country anytime next week, but not to a celebratory welcome.

Monrovia - The head of the Motorcycle-transport Union has blasted the Liberia National Police for what it calls the gross violation of motorcyclists' Constitutional right to freedom of movement.

Monrovia– In their own words, Ellen Corkrum, the embattled Managing Director of the Liberia Airport Authority and her fiancé Melvin Johnson have both spoken of a plot by the Chairman of the LAA Mr. Musa Bility to mastermind the downfall of Corkrum, a U.S.-trained pilot recruited with permission of the U.S. military, to help revamp the Roberts International Airport.

Liva Saryee never got the chance to lift a fist at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and no reason to date has been given as to why Saryee’s match against Morocco’s Safouane Attaf never materialized.

An electronic billboard outside the Ministry of Finance is turning heads and luring demonstrators in front of monetary arm of the Liberian government. Speaking on behalf of the US Government that funded the project, US Ambassador to Liberia Deborah Malac said the billboard is part of the US government support to the open government partnership which is part of a global efforts to make governments around the world to be open, effective and accountable to their citizens.

The head of Liberia’s Anti Corruption Commission, Cllr. Francis Johnson-Allison has called for the amendment of the Freedom of Information law.
Speaking during the launching of an open budget initiative technology Wednesday, the LACC boss declared that if the government is to be fair in its effort to promote transparency, there is a need to amend the Clause of the Freedom of information law that calls for exemption of few individuals as it relates to disclosing their assets.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has issued Executive Order No. 44, on Protecting Liberian Forests by a Temporary Moratorium on Private Use Permits (PUPs) which had reportedly been wrongly used to plunder the country's forest, and caused the loss of millions of dollars in revenue.

Letter to Editor of FrontPage Africa

Fish Town - The just ended two day development conference under the supervision of the Legislative Caucus of River Gee county, headed by Cllr Fredrick Cherue is calling for immediate investigation into the alleged misappropriation of Social Development Fund by the county Superintendent Daniel Johnson and his corps of officers.

The Caucus’ call comes in the wake of appropriations made by Superintendent Johnson and his project Management Committee (PMC) in the county from the US$50m Social Development Fund from Putu Iron Ore Mountain(PIOM) in Grand Gedeh County.

Monrovia - Sesa Goa Ltd an Indian iron-ore miner Is now the sole owner of Liberia's Western Cluster following its acquisition of the remaining 49% stake from Elenilto Minerals & Mining LLC.