Filed in by Olando Testimony Zeongar – 0776819983/0880-361116/life2short4some@yahoo.com
Monrovia – Amid investigation into circumstances surrounding the reported disappearance of 16 billion Liberian dollar banknotes, a civil society movement, Concerned Citizens United to Bring Our Money Back (COCUBOMB), has called on the International Community to probe President George Weah and some of his officials, for what COCUBOMB calls the suspicious and rapid acquisition of properties by the Liberian leader and some high-ranking officials of the Government of Liberia.
Punch online service recalls that since assuming power, President Weah, within less than nine months, in the absence of his reportedly declared assets being made public, is undertaking the construction and/or the reconstruction of deluxe structures in at least three different locations in the country.
Multiple sources have informed Punch that the closest official of government to President Weah, his minister of state, Nathaniel McGill, just within three months of being on the job, began reportedly finalizing plans to buy an elegant home valued at US$200k, when so many Liberians cannot afford even a substantial, satisfying, and balanced meal a day, with poverty visibly written on their faces.
In a statement released Tuesday, COCUBOMB pleaded with the International Community headed by the United States, whose embassy near Monrovia recently launched a forensic investigation in a bid to get to the bottom of the ‘missing money’ saga, to also take into consideration several other factors including probing the Liberian leader and some of his officials for what the group says is the “rapid and suspicious acquisition of giant-sized properties by President Weah and some high-ranking public officials in just 8 months.”
The group also wants the US-led forensic investigative panel to also consider as part of its probe the “infusion” of some US$25 million into the Liberian economy by the government of President Weah, as well as the need to conduct a comprehensive audit of the former government under the leadership of ex-president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and all transactions done under the current government so far.
COCUBOMB also recommended what it calls the urgency to establish a War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia.
International Community extolled
The group in its statement extolled the International Community for standing with the Liberian people in pursuit of public accountability, integrity and transparency.
“We commend the US Government, UN, AU, EU and ECOWAS for judiciously acting in the best interest of the Liberian Republic by taking full charge of this investigation,” said COCUBOMB, which noted that it was as a result of a September 24, 2018 mass-citizens’ protest action spearheaded by it, calling for an independent international forensic investigation into the mysterious disappearance of L$16 billion under President Weah, that the International Community has responded to.
“In response to the popular desire of the Liberian people through this mass peaceful protest, the International Community through the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia has finally launched an independent international forensic investigation to ascertain basic facts pertinent to this national mystery that has wounded the image of the country, COCUBOMB said.
The Concerned Citizens United to Bring Our Money Back pointed out that from the very beginning, the Weah-led government has been insincere, inconsistent and incoherent in terms of managing the ‘missing billions’ saga, which the group terms as a national emergency which could have unintended socio-economic and political consequences.
“Even up-to-date, we cannot trust key functionaries of this government because they continue to release conflicting accounts that are loaded with falsehood,” said COCUBOMB.
Weekly update
COCUBOMB further says, while it remains hopeful of a credible outcome of the ongoing investigation into the ‘mission billions’ in Liberian currency, it would appreciate a weekly update from the independent international panel of forensic investigators as the process unfolds.
“This will help to prevent public suspicions/speculations and keep the Liberian populace regularly informed and even more confident about the veracity of the investigation.,” the group said.
“COCUBOMB encourages the International Community to only hire international forensic financial firms that have no link to and/or interest in Liberia,” said COCUBOMB, adding, “COCUBOMB believes that the full involvement of the FBI, IMF, World Bank, AfDB, and US Treasury Department would add more value to the investigation.”
Proactive engagement
The group which says it will remain proactively engaged with all international partners to ensure full accountability of the ‘missing L$16 billion’, also made a call to all Liberians to exercise restraint as the International Community independently probes the controversies surrounding the reported disappearance of some two containers loaded with sacs of Liberian dollar banknotes.
“With unhindered audacity and patriotism, we shall remain relentless in this national pursuit to ensure that those who viciously siphoned and pillaged the people’s money are made to account in accordance with the Rule of Law,” COCUBOMB said, reassuring the International Community of its firm commitment to upholding peace and stability in Liberia.
“We will do nothing to undermine the PEACE of our country. In fact, we love this country more than those vicious micro-nationalists and pseudo-patriots who robbed our people of L$16 billion in broad-daylight. They must account for this downright wickedness. Liberians deserve far better than living in extreme poverty,” COCUBOMB noted.
The group then reassured Liberians at home abroad that it will not rest until the ‘missing L$16 billion is fully accounted for, stating that the “popular call of our people from Montserrado to Maryland is “BRING BACK OUR MONEY”. This call remains non-negotiable today and even tomorrow.”
