IPNews-Monrovia: The ongoing Liberia Passport saga continued to deepen with claims and counterclaims. This time, the Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia-EFFL has strongly condemned the alleged sale and issuance of Liberian passports including Ordinary, Service and Diplomatic passports to non-commissioned foreigners and reported sanctioned terrorists.

The EFFL in a statement calls on the President of Liberia, His Excellency George Manneh Weah, to immediately commission an investigation into the revelations of Mr. Andrew Wonplo, former Director of Passport Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia (EFFL) believes that the mortgaging of Liberian Diplomatic Passport by the CDC-Led government is yet another episode of corruption that doesn’t only undermine the Presidency of Mr. George Weah within the geo-political space but also creates huge image problem for our country.

During and after the war years, the Liberian passport became globally unwanted; thereby creating psychological issue for many Liberian travelers.

Article Three (3), Section One (1) of the Liberian Passport and Visa law which speaks to the specific requirements for the application and use of Certain categories of Liberian Passports / Travel documents states that; “Applicants for Diplomatic Passports must give written proof or evidence that they are employees of the Government of Liberia with a rank or status as contained in these regulations or individuals who are or may be required or assigned to serve the Republic of Liberia as diplomatic emissaries to foreign nations or Governments; or show proof that a specific waiver of these requirements have been approved by the Minister of Foreign Affairs or a dispensation given by the President of the Republic of Liberia.”

Article 4 goes further and distinguishes persons entitled to receive or be granted certain categories of passports and travel documents. Within said provisions, foreigners are not captured in any of the thirteen categories. The EFFL is deeply concerned about the revelation of Mr.

Wonplo’s action (issuance of Liberian Passport to foreign nationals) was directed by his bosses. The EFFL calls for an independent forensic investigation to ascertain the facts and punished the culprits’ in line with constitutional provisions.

Liberia, once a force and top-tier member within our international diplomatic space is being reduced to a mere observer because of rampant corruption and bad governance.

The Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia calls on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to with immediate effect issue a diplomatic alert to withdraw all “Courtesy” to the bearers of those passports and have them arrested for investigations.

We call on the President to commission an independent team including the Liberia Bar Association, the Press Union of Liberia and other credible institutions.

But contrary to the claims, Former Liberia Minister of Foreign Affairs Gbehzohngar M. Findley, says he will avail himself to any form of investigation whether in Liberia or internationally over ongoing alleged sale of Liberian diplomatic Passports and Honorable Counsel General positions.

The former Liberia Foreign Minister Findley, addressing a major press conference in Buchanan City, yesterday, September 28, 2020,  stated that ‘at no time did he ever instructed or authorized the former Director of Visas, Andrew Wonplo to sell government of Liberia passports’.

Amb. Findley told Journalist that through his proper oversight of the affairs the Ministry, the criminal conspiracy was bursted, resulting to Andrew Wonplo subsequent suspension and investigation by the National Security Agency-NSA.

He said Wonplo did not act alone but rather it was a conspiracy between a Nigerian individual stationed in Ghana and some staff of the passport section jointly working with Andrew Wonplo in carrying out the criminal conspiracy.

“Considering the robust system I’m place at the Ministry of Foreign in obtaining Passport through Bank payment transaction, Wonplo cleverly change Ghanaian and Nigerian names to Liberian names, payment for them, prepared them and sold those passports to the non-Liberians.”

“The issue of these missing passports are not a strange issue to  me because as Minister of Foreign Affairs, I directed a full scale investigation conducted  with the Involvement of the National Security Agency-NSA.

“Let me assure Liberians and the World that Liberian Passports are save, and we kept the integrity of our international passports and credentials save”

Amb. Gbehzohngar M. Findley, furthermore mentioned that, contrary to social media and unfounded discussion that Passports and Honorable Counsel General positions were on sale to alleged convicted criminals and drug traffickers, that all holders of Liberian Diplomatic Passports and Honorable Consul-General positions and status were properly vetted do in keeping with the laws and procedures of Liberia and with the involvement of the National Security Agency-NSA with statutory mandate to conduct same.

He also refuted claims by Mr. Wonplo that he was instructed by President George Weah to sale the passports to non-Liberians.

“The issuance of Passports is thw sole prerogative of the Minister and not the President of Liberia is spilled out by the former Passport Director Andrew Wonplo.” Amb Findley maintained.

Touching on recent outburst by Grand Bassa Senator Nyonblee Kangar-Lawrence, that the former Foreign Minister should be arrested and investigate because he colluded with criminals to sell Liberian Passports, the former Grand Bassa Senator, Amb. Findley described the comment as unfortunate and call on Senator Nyonblee Kangar-Lawrence to do more in justifying what she did for the Bassa people over the last Nine years rather than spilling baseless comments that locks sense and rectitude.

“Senator Nyonblee Kangar-Lawrence is believing in a criminal like Andrew Wonplo, it shows how she’s also a criminal,”

“She needs to apologize to the Bassa people for doing nothing over the last night years, rather than spilling lies and deception.” Amb. Finley blasted Senator  Nyonblee Kangar-Lawrence.

On the issue of whether the passport saga would have negatives on his campaign for the Grand Bassa Senatorial seat, Findley told members of the Press that he remain confident to the finished as he expects more accusation as the election approach because the opposition lack strategies to defeat him.

He challenged popular talked show host Henry P. Costa to show proof that he along with former House speaker Alex Tyler and other government officials received 200, 000 thousand United States from anyone for an Honorable Consul General position.

He however called on Andrew Wonplo to avail himself to prosecution and he will also do same whenever call upon to testify as former Foreign Minister under whose watch the conspiracy happened.

In recent days following the press statement issued on Monday, September 21,2020, by the office of Former Liberia Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Gbehzohngar M. Findley, rubbishing claims by former Director, Bureau of Passport & Visas, Andrew Wonplo that he instructed the sale of Liberian Diplomatic passport to non-Liberians, social media post had been carrying photos of Amb. Findley, the Minister of State, Nathaniel McGill ,Former House Speaker, Alex Tyler and others with an alleged Nigerian drug dealer Akintude Ojo as Liberia’s Honorary Counsel General the Republic Mexico.

Former Minister Findley stated that he was constrained to respond to the outright lies being spilled in the public by Former Director Andrew Wonplo.

“I am constrained to respond to the outlandish comments oozing out of the unfounded accounts from the former Director of Passport & Visas, Mr. Andrew Wonplo linking me to the so-called instruction to trade Liberian Passports to non-Liberians. I must indicate categorically that at no time did I, Amb. Gbehzohngar M. Findley, as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, instruct the former Director of Passport & Visas, Mr. Andrew Wonplo to trade Liberian Passports to non-Liberians.”

“My service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Republic of Liberia was marred by service to country, commitment to duty, strengthening bilateral and multilateral relationships, upholding the rule of law, and dedication to delivering the statutory mandate of the Ministry; which I did to the best of my ability in conformity with law.” Former Foreign Minister Findley stated.

The former Grand Bassa Senator and former President Pro tempore’ of the Liberian Senate, said the fact remain that a ‘Liberian passport, as per the Executive Laws on the issuance of Liberian Passports, a Liberian passport is an official document issued by the Government of Liberia by which the bearer is recognized in foreign countries either as a Liberian citizen, an honorary consul, a diplomatic agent or emissary designated by the President of the Republic of Liberia or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.’

Additionally, in consistent with the provision, the Republic of Liberia has had, and continues to have, Honorary Consuls representing its relations in varied countries and states, to include: Liberia’s Honorary Consul to Florida, Mr. David Straz who contributed US$1Million for the construction of a US$2Million Polytechnic Project in Sinje (named after him in 2016) but died on November 18, 2019, Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia, among others, who by law are entitled to Diplomatic Passports.

“The aforementioned is a separate case from the unfounded claims of the former Director of Passport & Visas, Mr. Andrew Wonplo, that Liberian Passports were traded to non-Liberians. However, I will elect to provide a clearer understanding of the process of obtaining Passport at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,”

“For instance, applicants for Diplomatic Passports must give written proof or evidence that they are employees of the Government of Liberia with a rank or status as contained in these Regulations or individuals who are or may be required or assigned to serve the Republic of Liberia as diplomatic emissaries to foreign nations or Governments; or show proof that a specific waiver of these requirements have been approved by the Minister of Foreign Affairs or a dispensation given by the President of the Republic of Liberia. Said dispensation was at no time abused, but legally utilized under the discharge of my statutory functions.”

“As such, I am bewildered by the unprovoked outburst from Mr. Wonplo wherein he’s making claims that he smartly designed as a retaliation to his re-indictment, as well as his designation by the Government of the United States of America.” A statement from Amb. Gbehzohngar M. Findley read.

In contrast to Mr. Wonplo claims that proceeds from the sales of the passports were currently been used for campaign purposes on Grand Bassa County by Amb. Gbehzohngar M. Findley, the Grand Bassa County former Senator stated that his bid for the Liberian Senate is not off his own volution but the collection decision of the Bassa people due to his overwhelming development achievements whw. he served as the country’s Senator for nine years.

“I will quicken to painstakingly indicate that my bid for the Senatorial race in Bassa is not my decision, but the overwhelming decision of the good loving people of Grand Bassa County, my birth place. When I served them, I served with dedication, selflessness, love for county and country, and above all, patriotism to the Republic of Liberia. These interventions, they’ve realized, have greatly impacted the citizenry; which is why they have solicited my consent to return to the Senate; and this solicitation I have embraced for the good of Grand Bassa,”

“My deeds can clearly speak for me, and no chicanery can thwart the resolve of the peace loving people of Grand Bassa County.” A ststement from Amb. Gbehzohngar M. Findley statement concluded.