In the wake of multiple arrests for past government officials relative to alleged act of corruption and Mismanagement of public funds, former Representative of District seventeen Hanson kiazolu said claimed by former Minister Samuel Tweah of witch hunt on his person is a clear attempt of refusal to account.
Speaking on the typical issue via his social media post, the Former Lawmaker termed the corruption indictment brought against Mr. Tweah as an equal measure of his alleged lack of transparency and accountability in his financial dealings during the last six years.
“Let’s get one thing straight, it is essential for a Minister of Finance to be transparent, accountable and honest in his/her role as government official because this can adversely affect the economy of the country, which may also be detrimental to the citizenry, “, Mr. Kiazolu Facebook post further mentioned.
According to him, such, a significant role in government requires high level of transparency, accountability and ethical financial practices in government.
At the same time , the former Comptroller General at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning alleged that Mr. Tweah is escaping investigation but bend on seeking public sentiments by writing on his social media page rathering than providing evidence surrounding the issue.
Among other things, The former Finance and Development Planning Minister social media post responding to the indictment charge brought against him by the court captured key words which he described as witch-hunt on his person including the tarnishing of his hard earned reputation respectively.
But Mr. Kiazolu argued that for the former Finance Minister to describe a lawful investigation as a witch-hunt is a common strategy by which those who left power refused to account for their stewardship and try to avoid responsibility.
He maintained that where allegations of corruption come up, it is important to investigate properly to avoid undermining the rule of law as well as public confidence.
Responding further through his social post, Kiazolu stated that Mr. Tweah following the 177th Independence Day oration by Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailye give his perspective on the oration but didn’t mention how the nation should deed with corrupt actors as recommended by Dr. Robtel Naejai Pailey noting that Little did he(Tweah) know what hangs in the balance for him and others for corruption allegations.
“It is important kpaku face the reality and stop calling the indictment a witch-hunt. The polific Tweah aka Kpaku mentioned in his post that he will be free which we all wish he can but where are you Kpaku? We all wish you receive the indictment and be set free later. Kpaku, you strong!”, he added.
Following the investigation and subsequent indictment , it is expected that the former Finance Minister and others will face charges including economic sabotage under Section 15.80 (a)(b)(c), misuse of public money or property, theft, illegal disbursement, expenditure of public money, theft of property, criminal facilitation, and criminal conspiracy.
The documents also pointed out that the former government officials alledged corruption detail a conspiracy beginning in July 2023, where the defendants are accused of colluding to defraud the Government of Liberia.
It also disclosed that in September 2023, under the guise of performing their official duties, the defendants allegedly carried out unauthorized and illegal transfers from the Central Bank of Liberia.
The Liberian government through the Ministry of Justice and Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission at the same time stated that the conspiracy severely undermines the economic stability and integrity of the country.
In a wake of robustly fighting corruption in the public space, the Unity Party led government on Monday July 29, 2024 drew initially charges against four past senior officials of government to include: Samuel D. Tweah Jr. former Finance Minister, Stanley S. Ford, former Director of the Financial Intelligent Unit, Jefferson Karmoh, former National Security Advisor, and Nyanti Tuan, former acting justice Minister and others for alledgedly stealing and converting into their personal use the amount of L$1,055,145,040.00 and US$500,000.00.
According to a writ copy of which is on our posession issued by the Monrovia City Court, stated that these funds were allegedly withdrawn shortly after the transfers without any documentation which among other things disclosed their intended use or disbursement terming it as unlawful, wicked, and intentional, and a direct violation of the New Penal Law of Liberia.
