MONROVIA – In a surprising development in the fight against corruption, the Government of Liberia’s Assets Recovery Taskforce has taken former Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Henry Williams, and former General Services Agency (GSA) Director Mary Broh into custody. The pair has been charged and will face proceedings in Criminal Court ‘C’, as part of an extensive investigation into alleged misappropriation of state assets.
The Assets Recovery Team revealed that the arrests are the result of ongoing efforts to reclaim assets believed to have been misused or misappropriated by former public officials. These actions are part of a broader initiative aimed at addressing financial improprieties and ensuring accountability in the management of public resources.
In a related development, the Taskforce has also confirmed the arrest of former Foreign Minister Dee Maxwell Kemayah. This heightened scrutiny of top officials underscores the government’s commitment to rooting out corruption and restoring public confidence in state institutions.
Speaking from the residence of former Minister Kemayah, his lawyer, Cllr. Pearl Brown Bull, expressed confidence in the judicial process. “All is well; we are under obligation to protect our clients,” Bull stated. She emphasized that they will respect the legal proceedings and allow the law to take its course.
The string of arrests represents a pivotal moment for Liberia, a nation grappling with the legacy of corruption and mismanagement. The Assets Recovery Taskforce’s actions signal a renewed focus on transparency and accountability in governance, a development that citizens and stakeholders are watching closely.
As the investigation unfolds, the implications for public trust in government and the future of governance in Liberia remain to be seen. The Taskforce’s aggressive approach to reclaiming misappropriated assets could potentially set a precedent for accountability within the country’s political landscape.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Kemayah, former Acting Monrovia City Mayor Broh and former National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) Executive Director Williams are among several individuals arrested in connection to the alleged theft of over 25,000 bags of rice donated to Liberia by the Saudi government.
In a phoned-in conversation with OK FM’s Clarence Jackson, Taskforce Communications Director Joseph Daniel confirmed that the rice, part of a 29,412-bag consignment, valued at $425,918 was meant for disaster victims but was secretly diverted “for personal and political benefits.”
Kemayah, Broh and Williams are facing charges of theft of property, economic sabotage, and misuse of office. Daniel noted the arrests follow months of investigation, and that the court has issued its first indictment in the case.
“They held secret meetings and distributed the rice with no documentation,” Daniel said. “This is just the beginning, more arrests will follow as the taskforce finalizes ongoing probes into at least 17 related cases.”
The rice was donated in April 2023 through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and consigned to the National Disaster Management Agency.
The arrests mark a key moment in the government’s promise to crack down on corruption and restore public trust in the handling of humanitarian aid.
More details to follow…
