Filed in by Olando Testimony Zeongar – 0776819983/0880-361116/life2short4some@yahoo.com
Monrovia – The aftermath of a leaked corruption report from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) is no doubt a dilemma for the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), as there is mounting public outcry for the CDC to withdraw from the pending Montserrado County electoral district-15 by-election, its candidate Abu Bana Kamara, caught in the center of a graft web since 24 May of this year .
The National Elections Commission (NEC) has for the second time postponed the holding of both senatorial and district-15 by-elections that should have been held in Montserrado County on 8 July, to a date the Commission is yet to announce. The electoral body cites “technical and operational reasons” for its latest decision to have postponed the legislative polls necessitated by the deaths of two lawmakers; Geraldine Doe Sheriff, a senator and Adolph Lawrence, a Rep.
But though the by-elections are postponed, the leaked LACC report seen by Punch FM/TV online service, is not, at least not anytime soon, as tons of Liberians expressing their opinions regarding the saga, mostly on social media, speaking from anti-graft perspective and the standpoint of morality and integrity in public office, are demanding that the ruling party do the honorable thing to withdraw Kamara, who has admitted to corruption investigators that indeed he defrauded the Government of Liberia of over US$8,000 and L$ 200,000 respectively.
The LACC leaked corruption report reveals that since 24 May 2019, the Asset Declaration and Verification Unit (ADV) of the LACC, complained Kamara, former Assistant Minister for Administration for the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication of receiving double salaries and benefits from both the Ministry of Post and the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Corporation (LPRC) when he served at the LPRC as Deputy Managing Director for Administration.
Kamara admitted to LACC investigators that knowing full well he had left the Post and Telecommunication Ministry and had no employment status at said ministry, he (Kamara) collected salary and benefits from the Government of Liberia, as if he were a presidential appointee with the rank of Assistant Minister thus defrauding the government of US $8,164.70 and L $271,114.74 respectively.
As salaries for the portfolio of Assistant Minister for the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication, in October 2017, Kamara criminally collected US$2,389.60 and L$77051.57; in November the same year, he again with criminal intent, received US$2,38690 and L$79,675.13, while the CDC candidate later the same year in December, also collected US$2, 385.52 and L$1002. 68, according to the leaked report.
According to the LACC, the money stolen from government by Kamara, has over the period of three (3) months (October-December 2017), accumulated an interest rate of 14% amounting to US$1002.68 and L$33,294.90, summing up all that the ruling party’s candidate defrauded the GoL of to US$8,164.70 and L$271, 114.74.
The leaked report quotes Kamara as admitting to being guilty of stealing said amount but that he submitted a preliminary payment plan of a monthly payment of US$500 beginning 25 June 2019.
As July edges towards its midpoint, Punch FM/TV online service has not verified whether Kamara has actually made his first payment of US$500 in line with his restitution payment plan of the stolen money.
Howbeit, Telia Urey, Kamara’s main contender in the Montserrado District-15 by-election, has said it’s either the CDC man disregards his restitution payment plan agreed upon with the LACC and restitutes in lump sum every penny he stole or he backs-down from contesting the representative seat made vacant as a result of the tragic death of former Rep Adolph Lawrence earlier this year.
Telia, the candidate of four collaborating parties; All Liberian Party (ALP), Liberty Party (LP), Alternative National Congress (ANC), and the former ruling Unity Party (UP), somewhat commends Kamara for admitting to stealing monies from government, and for taking what she calls the appropriate steps towards restitution.
“He was successful at setting up a payment plan of $500USD per month until he pays back $8,000USD and $200,000LD of taxpayer’s money. These are steps in the right direction,” Telia wrote on Facebook minutes after the leaked LACC report first hit social media like a storm.
However, Telia wants the CDC candidate to take what she calls a bold step forward and according to her, that Kamara does the honorable thing which in her mind is to do a lump sum payment of all that he stole.
“In the same light, I would like to admonish Abu to take a bold step forward and do the responsible and honorable thing. He needs to either pay the FULL AMOUNT back to the Liberian people or immediately withdraw from the race.”
“He can attempt to run again in 2023 when he has fully paid back what is due from his Criminal Acts. That $8,000USD and $200,000LD can do a lot for the people of Liberia and the people of District 15.”
Telia noted that Liberia deserves better, adding, “We can’t keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. This is the only way to change the dark path our country has been on.”
She called on the electorate in Montserrado electoral District-15 to condemn the criminal act exhibited by the CDC candidate Kamara, and pleaded with them not to vote for him should he or his party refuse to withdraw his candidature.
“To the people of District 15, we must condemn and reject these acts. We must also reject him on Election Day, if he insists on staying in the race without full restitution,” Telia said.
Also joining the fray to call for Kamara’s withdrawal from the race is vocal Liberian politician, Abe Darius Dillon (ADD), who is also the senatorial candidate for the four collaborating opposition political parties in the postponed by-elections.
Dillon is reminding the ruling party that President Weah has on few occasions withdrawn the nominations of some individuals with questionable characters that the president appointed to government posts, citing the cases of Cllr. Charles Gibson who was nominated as Justice Minister but his nomination was withdrawn due to lack of credibility and integrity.
ADD also named former House Speaker Alex Tyler as one of few individuals whose nomination had to be revoked by President Weah due to public outcry over Tyler’s lack of integrity. The former Speaker is standing court trial in a criminal case, where he’s being accused of begging for and/or receiving a bribe to temper with Liberia’s Public Procurement and Concession Law.
“Well, it is time for Weah and CDC to similarly withdraw Abu Kamara from the Ballot of District #15 for stealing and want of integrity as contained in an exposed LACC report. The Legislature is not an abode for rogues. That’s how to truly “Clean The Mess”!!!” Dillon wrote on his official Facebook page on Saturday.
Tarnue Kollie-Sorsor Mulbah, one of many Liberians weighing in on Kamara’s criminal behavior, concurred with Dillon, commenting on Facebook, that “We’re watching! We want nothing less than that.”
Like Mulbah, Musa Keita also agrees with Dillon and thinks ADD’s call for the CDC to withdraw Kamara from the race is “Logical!”
As for John Fallah, he wants Dillon to keep telling the CDC that Kamara must be withdrawn, as he writes: “Tell them my incoming Montsurrado County Senator.”
For his part, William Berechiah Prince wants Abu Kamara to step aside and settle his criminal charges – “He can not be trusted with little things, how much with the greater. #AbuLeaveNow,” Prince writes.
Prince Pawa: “We are a waiting mr Weah.”
Joseph Banard: “Like father, like son.”
Joanna James: “Had it been a member from the opposition block cdcians would have said their worse, now it’s one of their own they are justifying as usual.”
Roland Nyanama: “CDCians are never wrong. This is what they n their leaders learned in their society bush. Even as the country is being economically drained they still sing praises to George Weah.”
MO Milano Gweana: “This is where someone with integrity will recuse themselves from the process, but ayy…Liberia, hmmm.”
Jerome N. Payegar: “Does the President evaluate his candidates before nominating them or just a cdc playboy show? Weah continues to nominate people with criminal records..”
Upon being sworn into office on 22 January 2018, President George Weah, whose party Kamara represents as a candidate in the pending District-15 by-election, told the world that he would endeavor to assemble a government committed to fighting for the ideas dedicated to delivering for the Liberian people, promising that those to be chosen to serve in his administration will and must be dedicated to the ideas of grassroots, social transformation.
He said at the time that any person looking to cheat the Liberian people through the menace of corruption would have no place in his administration.
President Weah also said at the time that he views his overwhelming election by Liberians as a mandate from the people to end corruption in public service, vowing, “I promise to deliver on this mandate.”
“As officials of Government, It is time to put the interest of our people above our own selfish interests. It is time to be honest with our people. Though corruption is a habit among our people, we must end it,” said Weah, adding, “Those who do not refrain from enriching themselves at the expense of the people – the law will take its course. I say today that you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
But since assuming power almost two years ago,in a broken economy with an overall inflation rate of 23 percent and food inflation of 28 percent, Weah, himself continues to be haunted by corruption accusations, with his assets yet to be made public, coupled with his early amassing of wealth including the construction of dozens of condominiums.
Insiders of the CDC who spoke to Punch FM/TV online service on condition of remaining anonymous for this report, divulged that there are mixed reactions in the camp of the ruling party over whether or not to withdraw Kamara from the race, with one of the sources saying it is most unlikely to happen based upon the caliber of party executives that are against such move.
Already, CDC lawmaker and a key policy-decision maker within the ruling party, Rep Acarous Moses Gray has dismissed calls for Kamara to be withdrawn from the pending District-15 by-election.
Gray wrote on his official Facebook page Friday, suggesting that Kamara’s corruption case at the LACC is not weighty enough to warrant his withdrawal from the race.
The ruling party lawmaker on purpose has insinuated that the leaked LACC report was only a mere draft document without signatures, questioning its legality thereof.
Gray says the leaked document has nothing like a charge levied against Kamara but only a warning from the LACC to the CDC candidate.
Therefore, Gray is arguing that there is no case against Kamara, who according to the leaked LACC report, has since admitted to stealing several thousand dollars of public monies.
