—- As Weah’s Police IG, & Protocol Chief Gets First Hit

IPNEWS: Liberia’s main opposition Party last week threatened to resist a planned Assets Recovery Taskforce setup by President Joseph N. Boakai to retrieve assets of government allegedly converted by past government officials and individuals.

The Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), while at a major Press Conference Wednesday, March 27, on the ensuing bi-elections in Nimba and Grand Gedeh counties to fill vacant seats at the result of the October 2023 elections, news broke up that vehicles belonging to two of its stewards namely former Police Inspector-General Patrick Sudue and Finda Bundo, former chief of Protocol Republic of Liberia, were impounded by the Assets Recovery Taskforce over suspicions of being stolen.

On the ground to impound the vehicles was the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia (EFF) leader, and member of the Assets Recovery Taskforce (LART), Emmanuel Gonquoi, who told reporters that the Taskforce acted on intelligence to impound the vehicles.

Gonquoi stated that the LART was gathering intelligence on the diversion of government assets by former government officials into personnel used, including medium of acquisition.

The EFF Liberia leader stated that the yellow taxi owned and operated by former chief of protocol Finda Bondo, was plighting the streets of Monrovia without proper documentation which led the LART to move in to ascertain the legitimacy of the ownership and titled which sparked concern as to whether or not the LART has taken unto itself the duties of the Liberian National Police (LNP).

Additionally, Gonquoi could not properly explain the rationale behind the rush to begin confiscating properties without proper information.

While that impounding of the vehicles was ongoing, former executive member of the Unity Party now Nimba Representative Musa Bility expressed shock and dismay at the ongoing LART exercise.

Rep. Musa Hassan Bility blast at the government’s handling of the Assets Recovery and constant embarrassment of Citizens on the streets of Monrovia.

“Don’t rush with asset recovery. First establish the lost assets and publish it. Ask those in possession to return it or face prosecution. And begin to search for the specific assets of government that are lost. Stop this nonsense of stopping peaceful citizens and asking them to establish their ownership of their vehicles. The government must first establish the assets lost before it can start the search for them. Come on fellas, you came with experience. Use it. Stop making a mockery of a well-intentioned process. And to those with government assets, please return it.  it’s not yours. Shameless bunch. What a vicious circle of mess after mess!!!!” Rep. Musa Bility wrote.

Now, a assets release permit allegedly issued to former Police Inspector-General, Patrick Sudue, by the General Services Agency (GSA) in keeping with Liberia’s revenue code 204 on the disposal of assets by the government of Liberia, has shown that the former Police IG purchased the vehicle from the government of Liberia on October 21, 2021.

This new development now puts the reputation of the LART into huge questioning as to the motive of the Taskforce.

However, CDC Secretary General stated categorically last week that the party has instructed that any attempt for President Boakai to violate the Constitution “will be met with stiff resistance,” pointing to the asset recovery policy as one of such violations that his party will resist.

“The CDC sees this as total nonsense and none of its officials can submit to it.  Tell Mr. Boakai, we will take it to his door stairs. He will be greeted by his door stairs. And let Mr. Boakai know that not even a chicken of the CDC can submit to that reckless arrangement,” Koijee defiantly exclaimed.

He promised that the CDC will give the government what this country requires, stating, “We openly defy you, even with boldface, we say back to you, that what you term asset recovery is a reckless arrangement.

“These mickey-mouse characters you place over there – let them be informed that they fall short of everything that has to do with seriousness. Not even a chicken of the CDC will give it a courtesy,” he emphasized.

Kiojee reiterated that President Boakai should not ask for something that the government cannot contain so early, and pointed out, “We can tell you we will not fall short to give you what you requested”   According to Mr. Koijee, “We don’t make words, we come here to tell you that the Liberian people have given you a piece of job to do. Focus on that job.”

But the Assets Recovery and Properties Retrieval Team swiftly warned officials of the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) that no level of threats will thwart the government’s assets recovery efforts.

Assets Recovery Taskforce Chairperson Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin issued the warning in Monrovia following consistent threats by CDC Secretary General Jefferson Koijee that his party would resist asset recovery.

Koijee and several officials of the past regime led by former President George Manneh Weah are on U.S. sanctions for acts of corruption and serious human rights abuses, among others.

Worst still, some of the former officials are said to have looted their offices and taken away government vehicles, further compounding public perception of the high level of corruption allegations they face.

Koijee has projected himself as the ringleader in resisting accountability after the CDC-led government declined to hold accountable officials of the Sirleaf-led administration, which succeeded.

Cllr. Martin warned him to desist from any unlawful act, stating that the government would use the law to prosecute corrupt officials and compel restitution of stolen funds belonging to Liberia.

“You say that former officials will not submit to this process; we are fearless, and we have no issues about that,” said Cllr Martin.

“We are strong and robust. No one will think they can thwart or frustrate this process by issuing threats. That cannot move us,” he continued.

“Now that we are not in the system, and it does exist and now working under a transparent system, no threat can move us,” he vowed.

According to him, some laws govern the punishment of criminal acts across the country, and so they will act through the court. He reminded CDCians that the executive always assists the Court through the Liberia National Police (LNP).

Martin formally chaired the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) during former President George Manneh Weah’s rule.

However, he did not end his tenure when a new LACC Act passed by the Legislature and signed by President Weah ousted him from his role.

The former LACC boss disclosed that nobody will see him in the street to go and carry out an arrest.

However, he said the appropriate action would be taken through the court, and the LNP would execute that action.

“Nobody is above the law, whether past or current government official. Therefore, the law will be used to restitute the Liberian people’s money stolen,” said Cllr. Martin.

He said their responsibility is to ensure that the objectives and functions are addressed properly.

“I can assure Liberians that we will ensure the task is achieved. We will act in accordance with the law because there will be no arms twisting and nighttime calls,” said Martin.

On the heels for the appointment of the Assets Recovery Taskforce, the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) stated that while it Welcomes President Joseph N. Boakai’s determination to recover public assets; yet the Assets Recovery Task Force has usurps the mandate of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission’s (LACC).

According to CENTAL, the Task Force essentially assumes the role of the LACC, thereby making it a parallel to the commission; and that the Task Force is not independent, as it is situated in the Presidency and includes supporters of Boakai’s 2023 Presidential bid.

Speaking at a news conference in Monrovia, CENTAL boss, Anderson Maimen told a team of reporters that the Task Force assuming the role of the LACC was unacceptable citing parallels in relations to the LACC Act of 2022 and EO # 126: Section 4.1 (d) of the LACC Act of 2022 gives it the power “to, independently and in the name of the Republic of Liberia, investigate and prosecute any and all acts of corruption.”

At the same time Section 5.2(j) provides that the LACC shall serve as the agency of government of Liberia with primary responsibility for the investigation of all acts of corruption.

Meanwhile, he maintained that EO#126 provides in Count 2 that the Taskforce has the mandate to “constitute an investigative Panel to probe into Liberia’s stolen and suspicious assets“.

Further, Count 4 of EO #126 mandates the Task Force to “initiate immediate criminal prosecution and civil litigation where applicable on behalf of the Government of Liberia”.

It is for similar reasons that now have laws requiring open and competitive recruitment to anti-graft institutions. Thus, assuming that the Task Force should be allowed to stand, its membership would not meet the neutrality benchmark.

For instance, Mr. Martin N. Kollie and Ms. Victoria Moinsemah were big supporters of the 2023 bid of President Boakai. Further, it is common knowledge that Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin lost his position at the LACC under the CDC administration.

Having him to head an asset recovery process that might involve officials of the immediate past administration will be construed as a witch-hunt, even if there is a reasonable basis for the task force’s actions.

With LACC having primary responsibility for investigating and prosecuting corruption, CENTAL holds the view that giving the Tasks Force the power to investigate assets lost to corruption does not only create confusion but serves to undermine the LACC.

Maimen told reporters that President Boakai’s issued Executive Order No. 126 (EO# 126), establishing the Office of Assets Recovery, the office has been empowered with the legal mandate and state funding to investigate and retrieve wrongfully acquired government assets and seek the extradition of suspects involved if they were found to be out of the country.

Section 5.2 (f) of the LACC Act of 2022 provides that the Commission shall serve as the primary agency of the government of Liberia authorized to make and receive requests for the purpose of international mutual legal assistance in the combat against corruption.

Meanwhile, Count 7 of EO #126 mandates the Task Force to “employ diplomatic and Interpol means to extradite individuals identified as suspects that are outside the bailiwick of Liberia in order to bring them under the jurisdiction of the investigative team.” With LACC being the primary agency of government authorized to make and receive requests regarding international mutual legal assistance including for extradition, CENTAL believes that LACC is being further undermined or its function is being usurped.

Mr. Maimen said the Laws establishing key anti-graft institutions provide for their operational and financial independence.

“It is, therefore, surprising that a Task Force mandated to recover stolen assets resides in the Office of the President (i.e. Ministry of State).”

“We encourage the government to respect the mandates of existing anti-corruption institutions and remain engaged with them in making decisions bordering on their mandate areas, if the desired collaboration and results must be achieved, “he added.

CENTAL in its statement also believes that such move is reminiscent of the past where anti-graft functions were an extension of the Presidency and were used at the whims and caprices of the President. Also, CENTAL holds the view that anti-corruption efforts need not be politicized.

With anti-corruption efforts often regarded as ‘witch-hunts”, any related mechanism having a dependent or political character will soon crumble under the weight of machinations. It is for this reason that persons leading anti-corruption efforts at integrity institutions are required to be politically neutral.

CENTAL said in its opinion; the LACC is empowered by law to recover assets lost to corruption. Hence, as has been done with EO#126 requires provision of funds, and it believes that the LACC should be adequately supported to fulfill its mandate.

That the Asset Recovery Task Force be dissolved and funds directed to support the LACC, especially the Asset Recovery Unit at the LACC.

As President Boakai acted against his initial plan of commissioning international auditors and became confident in the General Auditing Commission’s (GAC) ability to deliver, we believe that similar wisdom can be applied to repose confidence in the LACC in fulfillment of its mandate.

If the Task Force must be maintained, it should/has to be led/headed by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission and not exclusive of the Commission, as it is currently. Also, members appointed to the task force must have track records of integrity and be perceived to be independent and or politically-neutral.