Liberia: “Boakai, Karnga-Lawrence and Koffa Must Answer to Bribery Allegations”

Veteran journalists Gabriel I.H. Williams and Emmanuel D. Abalo, both former leaders of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) residing in the United States, have expressed serious concern over allegations of bribery that occasioned the elections of the Senate Pro-Tempore and Speaker of the House of Representatives that were held on Monday, January 15. They are also not pleased over the lack of clarity around the L$10 million and 200 bags of rice that the President-elect, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, donated to victims of the tanker explosion that took place in Totota, Bong County. 

Two former leaders of the PUL have said that there is a need for Boakai and the newly-elected leaders of the National Legislature of Liberia, Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence and Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, to provide clarity on the allegations of bribery that have implicated them. 

In a press statement, Messrs. Gabriel I.H. Williams and Emmanuel D. Abalo stated that media reports regarding political graft and corruption raise significant concerns about the integrity of those who are to lead the incoming government.

According to the two journalists, who advocate for transparency and accountability in governance, Liberians have the right to demand transparency from their leaders, who were elected upon publicly pledging to be accountable. Therefore, the former PUL leaders noted it is incumbent upon President-elect Boakai to provide explanations regarding the source of funds he used for the donation of rice and cash to tanker explosion victims in Bong County, as well as conflicting information emanating from his recent meeting with newly elected legislators, from which there have been allegations of bribery.

“We also call on Speaker Koffa and President Pro-Tempore Karnga-Lawrence to provide explanations to the Liberian people regarding allegations that they were involved in bribery to win elections for their respective positions,” the statement said. 

The journalists warned that the people of Liberia did not remove President George M. Weah's government, which they believed to be corrupt and inefficient, only to replace it with another government that lacked accountability.

They stressed the necessity of clear and transparent communication to dispel any doubts and uphold principles of accountability, which have long been missing in the performance of Liberian public officials.

To ensure a fair and just government, Williams and Abalo recommended conducting an independent investigation into the allegations of “bribery and financial irregularities” within the Liberian Legislature and the incoming Boakai administration.

The results of this investigation should be made public to establish the facts and demonstrate the new administration's commitment to fighting corruption and upholding the rule of law.

In addition, the journalists called on the United States, Liberia’s closest traditional ally, to support the calls for a comprehensive audit of the National Legislature and the establishment of a war and economic crimes court during the Boakai administration.

They believed that ending the culture of impunity would require Liberian officials to face serious consequences for the abuse of power and responsibility entrusted to them.

Williams and Abalo emphasized that transparency is essential in building trust between the government and its citizens, and they urged the President-elect to uphold this principle as a cornerstone of responsible governance. Ultimately, they believed that a commitment to transparency and a thorough investigation into alleged corruption would contribute to the establishment of a government that operates with integrity and accountability, meeting the expectations of the Liberian people.

However, they cautioned that if the new president fills his administration with incompetent loyalists and individuals pursuing their own interests instead of those with proven competence and integrity, the vision of rescuing the country may merely become a political slogan.