Liberia: Pro-Tempore Lawrence, Dillon, Sogbie Declare Assets

In fulfillment of commitments that they will be accountable and transparent in the discharge of their functions and duties, the President Pro-tempore of the Liberian Senate and two of her staunch allies have declared their assets to the Secretary of the Senate, J. Nanborlor F. Singbeh, for onward presentation to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).

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Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Senators Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado County and Jonathan Boye-Charles Sogbie of River Gee County, declared their respective assets on Thursday, January 25, in fulfillment of the Code of Conduct.

Assets Declaration is by law, specifically enshrined in Part 10, Section 10.1 of the 2014 Code of Conduct Law. 

The law states that: “Every public official and Employee of the Government shall sign performance or financial bonds and shall, inaddition,n declare his or her income, assets, and liabilities before taking office and after that and: 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.

 Pro-Tempore Lawrence says the declaration of assets was necessary to fulfill the Asset Declaration provision as enshrined in the Code of Conduct.

Pro-Tempore Lawrence further indicated that the declaration of her asset is also intended to promote transparency and accountability in governance.

At the same time, she promised to have her assets published in fulfillment of the law and called on her colleagues to follow suit.

As a newly elected Montserrado County Senator in August 2019, Dillon broke a taboo of asset confidentiality that has constituted one of the cores of the Code of Conduct statute requiring Public Officials to declare their assets upon assumption of public offices. He declared and published his assets at the value of US$76,000, “ASSETS & LIABILITIES” for public information. 

According to public records in the former CDC government, Dillon became the first Liberian elected official ever to declare assets publicly backed by publication of the declaration—a fulfillment of a campaign promise that he would ensure transparency and accountability and the vow made that he would uphold the spirit of openness. 

He did just that on his first day in office, in keeping with his campaign promise, reaffirming his commitment to good governance throughout his leadership, using transparency and accountability as the roadmaps for the adequate representation of the people of Montserrado County. 

In his asset declaration form dated August 12, 2019, Senator Dillon said he was born on May 30, 1969; and noted that he has two banking accounts in Liberian and US dollar currencies, respectively, with the United Bank of Africa (UBA). 

In Account #53030600016202 at the UBA, Dillon said he has 20,000 Liberian dollars while he has three United States dollars, fifty cents (US3.50) in his UBA Account #53030600015618.

In his latest declaration, the Montserrado County Senator, who was voted on white ballot as Senate Committee Chair on Foreign Affairs, told the media he sees it fit to comply with the law.

Dillon said during his presentation, “The fight against corruption is essential in the spirit of fostering good governance.” 

He believes his action puts him at the advantage of public scrutiny, calling on his colleagues to emulate.

The law also provides for one to update his or her assets after three years of serving the same office.

The asset declaration is due to be deposited at the Liberia Anti-Corruption Committee for onward proceeding.

The Montserrado Lawmaker, who took to his official Facebook page pictorial copies of his assets and liabilities, vowed to proffer a bill to amend the Code of Conduct.

According to him, it is unfortunate that the law on asset declaration does not specify who to publish the assets upon declaration, making the law ambiguous.

Currently, the assets declaration law does not specify who or what to publicly publish as declared assets, something he noted is being used as an excuse for those who do not want to declare their assets.

The 54th Legislature, through a bill proffered by Dillon, removed the discretional portion, which at the time allowed persons declaring assets to decide whether or not to publicly declare their assets.

Dillon added that the old code of conduct on asset declarations was a "Zoe push declaration," which was not made public.

According to the document bearing his assets and liabilities, Senator Dillon's annual gross financial assets are US$127,000, excluding tax payments.