Monrovia – FrontPage Africa has learned that former Minister of Foreign Affairs Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, former Deputy Foreign Minister Thelma Duncan Sawyer, and former General Services Agency (GSA) Director-General Mary T. Broh, along with several former officials of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), are expected to be released from detention on their own recognizance with human surety.
This means the accused will be released based on the court’s trust that they will comply with the terms of their release, without the need to post a cash bond. However, a human surety—an individual acting as a guarantor—will vouch for their appearance in court and adherence to any imposed conditions.
The officials were detained following their arrest on Thursday in connection with the alleged misappropriation of 29,412 bags of rice, valued at US$425,918. The rice was donated to Liberia in April 2023 by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre for distribution to disaster-affected communities. Investigators allege that the consignment was diverted “for personal and political benefits.”
Although such a release is rare in high-profile cases, it is permitted when the court deems the accused not to be a flight risk or a threat to public safety.
A human surety is someone who personally guarantees the accused’s court appearances. Should the accused fail to comply, the surety may face penalties, including fines or imprisonment, depending on the court’s ruling.
It is not yet clear how many of the detained officials will be granted release, but if confirmed, the decision is expected to bring relief to their families and supporters.
