MONROVIA – Madam Mary Broh is well known figure in the governance sector of Liberia, firstly as Acting Mayor of the City of Monrovia, and special assignments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Port Authority, the Bureau of Vital Statistics and the General Services Agency.
In those capacities while serving her country, she left indelible marks of excellence in terms of work ethics, results, impact and total change that set the basis for quality service delivery. As City Mayor of Monrovia, Madam Broh instituted cleanup exercises in communities that the first Saturday of every month has been dubbed “Mary Broh Day” by residents of Monrovia and its environs.
Also, at the General Service Agency (GSA) her handiworks are visible in terms of structure in ensuring government properties were accounted for at all times. She has been a labeled as a true patriot and nationalist by her admirers.
Why Is Mary Broh Reaffirming her Loyalty to Pres. Boakai?
On Wednesday, July 30, at the residence of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai during the 53rd wedding anniversary, celebration of the First Couple, former Director General of the General Services Agency (GSA), Mary Broh reaffirmed her loyalty and commitment in a powerful and emotional statement at the occasion.
“My loyalty to Boakai will never fade! In six years, Liberians will witness a transformed nation under your leadership,” Madam Broh iterated.
Despite facing serious criminal charges, Broh stood before top government officials, diplomats, and national stakeholders to reaffirm her unwavering loyalty to the President, calling his leadership a symbol of hope, healing, and true reconciliation.
“The First Lady and His Excellency have been my friends for years,” Broh stated. “We cherish our friendship, and I honor it daily; I do not take it for granted.”
Her remarks drew attention not only for their emotional weight but also for their timing just weeks after she was arrested in a high-profile corruption case.
Reflecting on Liberia’s 178th Independence Day celebrations, Madam Broh praised Liberians in the diaspora, particularly in Philadelphia and Minnesota, for their vibrant support under President Boakai’s leadership.
“I was very sick on July 26, but I watched everything,” she recalled. “I lived in America for 33 years and never saw such joy during Independence Day. Mr. President, you’ve invoked something powerful, a national fever.”
Madam Broh continued with a strong endorsement: “Something good has come out of Nazareth,” she declared, referencing the biblical saying. “Reconciliation, healing — that’s true leadership. Mr. President, my loyalty will never go away.”
She ended with a bold prediction: “In six years, Liberians will witness a transformed nation under your leadership.”
Why ex-Liberian officials were arrested over missing Saudi Rice
In June of this year (2025), three of Liberia’s most recognizable former officials — Mary Broh, Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, and Henry O. Williams — were arrested and briefly detained at the Monrovia Central Prison after being indicted for their roles in an alleged corruption scandal involving more than 25,000 bags of rice donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for disaster victims.
The indictments, handed down by the Special Grand Jury for Montserrado County, alleged economic sabotage, misapplication of entrusted property, abuse of office, and criminal conspiracy that caused the Liberian government to lose rice valued at more than US$425,000.
The rice donation made on April 4, 2023, by Saudi Arabia through Fouta Corporation, was intended for victims of disasters across Liberia. A total of 29,412 bags of 25kg rice were received by the government and placed into three warehouses — 11,200 bags at the General Services Agency (GSA) and 18,212 bags across two warehouses managed by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA).
According to court documents, between February 21 and April 24, 2025, the indicted officials “did commit the Crime of Theft of Property” in violation of Section 15.51(a) and other provisions of the Liberian Penal Code. The indictment noted that these individuals — including former Foreign Minister Kemayah, former GSA Director General Broh, and former NDMA Executive Director Williams — knowingly took control of and distributed 25,054 bags of the rice, diverting it from its intended beneficiaries.
How the Rice Allegedly Went Missing
The indictment explains that the rice was supposed to be gradually distributed to disaster victims through the NDMA. However, former Foreign Minister Kemayah and his deputy, Thelma Sawyer, allegedly overstepped their authority by interfering in the operations of NDMA and “usurping the functions of the Board.”
The duo reportedly orchestrated and hosted three meetings at GSA headquarters on UN Drive with other senior officials including Broh, Varney Sirleaf (then Internal Affairs Minister), and Momolu Johnson (Deputy Minister for Administration).
“At one of the Defendants’ purported meetings, it was agreed and decided that 13,895 bags of the rice be transferred to GSA warehouse,” the indictment states, adding that this second transfer was done “through the influence and agitation” of Kemayah and Sawyer “with intent to have same wrongfully distributed to defendants’ personal interest and benefit.”
Investigators from the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force said the scheme deliberately sidelined the NDMA. The indictment stated, “Co-Defendant Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah instructed and unlawfully diverted said distribution from NDMA and placed Co-Defendant Varney A. Sirleaf to be identified in charge,” thus stripping NDMA of its statutory responsibility.
Distribution Without Records
Broh, Sirleaf, and others were said to have overseen or facilitated the movement of rice from the warehouses without proper accountability.
“Co-Defendant Varney A. Sirleaf… went into the warehouses at the said entity and therefrom, stole, took and carried away 1,050 bags under the pretext of distributing same to disaster victims, without documentary evidence,” the document notes.
It further alleges that Broh “authorized the unauthorized distribution of said rice outside of the NDMA’s legal mandate, causing a major distortion in the process and violation of fiduciary trust.”
Other officials are accused of walking away with thousands of bags. “Both Co-Defendants Edris Bility… and Augustine Tamba… took and carried away 4,000 bags of the rice from the GSA warehouse under the scheme of distribution and same cannot be accounted for,” the indictment reads.
More Missing Rice, More Missing Answers
The misappropriation went even deeper. Edward S. Konneh, another defendant, allegedly stole 5,595 bags of rice “under the pretense of distributing them to communities without any records.” Meanwhile, Williams, as head of NDMA, “left in charge 4,317 bags with another individual” and later took them himself, according to investigators.
In total, the indictment says 25,054 out of the 29,412 bags “were knowingly taken possession of” and wrongfully diverted. “The crime of Theft of Property was committed,” it concludes, against “the peace and dignity of the Republic of Liberia.”
Economic Sabotage and Misapplication
The second count of the indictment focuses on economic sabotage and misuse of public resources. It accuses Kemayah, Broh, Williams, and others of deliberately failing to maintain any records regarding the rice’s handling.
“During the period of A.D. 2023… Defendants interfered in the distribution of 25,054 bags… and developed a scheme to divert the purpose of the donation,” the document said. “They knowingly transferred, stole, purloined or converted the rice valued at USD $425,918.00.”
No documentation exists, the indictment stresses, of where the rice went or who benefitted from it — a fact that the Ministry of Justice says reveals an intent to sabotage state assets.
The third count, Misapplication of Entrusted Property, underscores the fiduciary breach. The indictment quotes Liberian law defining this crime as misusing or diverting government property held in trust.
“Defendants… knowingly misapplied and disposed of 28,412 out of 29,412 bags… thereby violating public trust and their legal obligations,” the indictment states.
Abuse of Office and Conspiracy Charges
Kemayah, Broh, Sirleaf, Sawyer, and others also face charges of Abuse of Office. According to prosecutors, these officials called and attended meetings regarding the rice distribution “outside the authority of the NDMA,” with Kemayah eventually transferring 13,895 bags to GSA and placing Sirleaf in charge.
The final count is Criminal Conspiracy. Prosecutors argue that the defendants “conspired, planned, and connived to make several unauthorized transfers… valued at US$425,918.00.”
The indictment defines conspiracy under Liberian law as when “a person agrees with others to engage in conduct constituting the crime, and any party performs an overt act to effect the objective.”
No Affirmative Defense
Across all charges, the indictment consistently notes: “The Defendants have no affirmative defense.”
The charges — a mixture of felonies and first-degree misdemeanors — span the breadth of Liberia’s anti-corruption statutes, particularly Chapter 15 of the New Penal Code covering theft, misuse of public property, and economic crimes.
Court Orders and Arrests
The indictment was endorsed as a “True Bill” on June 24, 2025, by Forelady Alethelia Gfasco Korvah of the Special Grand Jury and signed by Assistant Minister of Justice for Litigation Cllr. Jerry D.K. Garlawolu.
A writ of Ne-Exeat Republica was issued on June 25, 2025 ordering the arrest of the defendants and barring them from leaving the country. The writ specifically ordered the Sheriff for Montserrado County to “ensure formal appearance in court” and commit those unable to post bail to the Monrovia Central Prison.
Brief Detention and Bail
On Thursday, June 26, Broh, Kemayah, and Williams were arrested in accordance with the court’s writ and temporarily held at the Monrovia Central Prison. However, after their legal teams processed bond arrangements, the three were released on bail pending court proceedings.
The trial is expected to take place during the August Term of Court.
Public Reaction to Madam Broh’s Reaffirmation of Loyalty to Pres. Boakai
Meanwhile, there are mixed reactions to Madam Broh’s latest reaffirmation of her loyalty to President Boakai despite her indictment in the Saudi rice scandal. Some argue that she might want to gain favor from President Boakai in the instance the case starts in court and may want some kind of undercover protection. But it remains to be seen whether President Boakai may want to manipulate a case because his long-time family friend is indicted. But the President has always maintained that his government would prosecute anybody who comes into conflict with the law in regards to corruption in government among others. The public will be watching keenly when the Saudi rice scandal case kicks off in the August term of court.
