MONROVIA – Former Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, former General Services Agency (GSA) Director Mary Broh, and former National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) Executive Director Henry O. Williams were on Thursday, June 26, 2025, released from the Monrovia Central Prison and appeared before Criminal Court “C” to face formal corruption charges in connection with the alleged mismanagement of a consignment of Saudi-donated relief rice.
Their court appearance follows a sweeping indictment issued by the Government of Liberia through the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT), working in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice. The indictment is the result of an extensive investigation into the illegal handling and diversion of 29,412 bags of rice donated in April 2023 by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KS-Relief). The rice, valued at approximately US$425,918, was intended to support disaster victims and vulnerable communities across Liberia.
According to a press release issued today by the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) and signed by Joseph Daniels, Head of the Public Relations Department, the rice was illicitly taken through secret and unauthorized meetings, the usurpation of the NDMA’s statutory authority, and its removal and distribution without any documentation or legal procedure. Investigators stated that 25,054 bags were unlawfully diverted, and some suspects have already admitted to their roles, confirming a coordinated conspiracy and egregious abuse of public trust.
The indicted individuals include Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mary Broh, former Director General of the GSA; Varney A. Sirleaf, former Minister of Internal Affairs; Thelma Sawyer, former Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs/Administration; Henry O. Williams, former Executive Director of the NDMA; Augustine Tamba, Deputy Director for Operations at the NDMA; Augustine M. Kollie, Director for Disaster Victims at the NDMA; Edward S. Konneh, an employee of the NDMA; Archievego M. Doe, Communications Director at the NDMA; Edris Bility, former Deputy Director for Operations at the GSA; Mamie Davies, Assistant Director at the GSA; Momolu Johnson, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs/Administration; Rosetta L. Gbassay Bowah, Logistics Officer at the NDMA; Wayfa Ciapha, purported CEO of Group of 77; and Evelyn Gbee, Warehouse Manager at the GSA.
The crimes charged include Theft of Property, Economic Sabotage, Misapplication of Entrusted Property, Abuse of Office, and Criminal Conspiracy. AREPT emphasized that these offenses represent a serious breach of public trust, undermining both Saudi Arabia’s goodwill and the credibility of Liberia’s public institutions.
“The scandal has inflicted significant damage,” the release stated. “Disaster victims were denied critical food assistance, Saudi Arabia’s generous donation was misused, international trust was undermined, and public confidence in government institutions was further weakened.”
To prevent flight by any of the accused, the government has issued a ne exeat republica (travel ban), ensuring that all indicted individuals remain within the country during prosecution. AREPT noted that this case is the first of three completed investigations, out of 30 active cases currently under review, with additional indictments expected in July.
As the case progresses, defense lawyers representing Kemayah and his co-defendants, including former Associate Justice Kabineh Ja’neh and renowned attorney Cllr. Pearl Brown Bull, are expected to challenge the charges, which they believe are politically motivated.
Meanwhile, senior members of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), including Lenn Eugene Nagbe and Representative Saah Foko, were seen at Criminal Court “C” to observe the proceedings and show support for their colleagues. Kemayah, a senior advisor to former President George Weah, remains a powerful figure within the CDC.
Under the leadership of Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, AREPT reaffirmed its commitment to aggressively pursue the recovery of misappropriated public resources. “This indictment sends a clear message that corruption will not go unpunished,” the taskforce declared. “We remain fully engaged with national and international partners to restore public trust and ensure that public resources serve the Liberian people.”
