Monrovia – Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah has condemned his arrest and detention, along with several former officials, as a “public witch-hunt” lacking legal merit.
By Willie N. Tokpah
Speaking shortly after his release from the Monrovia Central Prison on Thursday, Kemayah claimed the government has failed to produce compelling evidence to justify the charges against him.
Kemayah, who was arrested with seven other former officials in connection with the alleged diversion of humanitarian rice aid, maintained his innocence and called for a fair and transparent legal process.
“It is unfortunate and unjustifiable to arrest and jail individuals without substantial evidence,” Kemayah stated. “However, I remain committed to going through the legal process and believe justice will prevail.”
Madam Mary Broh and Mrs Thelma Duncan Sawyer greeted by jubilant family members following their release from prison.
Kemayah, along with Mary T. Broh, former Director-General of the General Services Agency (GSA); Henry O. Williams, former Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA); and Thelma Duncan Sawyer, former Deputy Foreign Minister for Administration, was released on Thursday by Criminal Court “C” after securing human surety bonds.
However, three other NDMA officials—Acheivego Doe, Communications Director; Rosette Gbeisaye, Director of Logistics; and Augustine Kollie, Director for Response—remain in custody at the Monrovia Central Prison. Edward Konneh, Response Officer at the NDMA, is reportedly still at large.
The case centers on the alleged misappropriation of 29,412 bags of rice, valued at over US$425,000. The rice, donated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre in April 2023, was intended for disaster-affected and vulnerable communities across Liberia but was allegedly diverted for personal and political use.
A forensic audit conducted by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) played a critical role in the investigation. The audit reportedly revealed that large quantities of rice were secretly moved to private storage facilities, some allegedly linked to individuals involved in the 2023 electoral campaign.
Amb. Kemayah, flanked by his wife , Mrs Kemayah and lawyer Cllr. Pearl Brown Bull termed his arrest and detention as a political witch-hunt.
Based on the GAC’s findings, prosecutors charged the accused with multiple offenses, including Theft of Property, Economic Sabotage, Misuse of Public Office, and Criminal Conspiracy.
Meanwhile, sources within the Judiciary disclosed that the presiding judge of Criminal Court “C” expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the court clerk issued the jail commitment order. Allegedly, the order to detain the accused at the Monrovia Central Prison was executed before the judge had signed the final commitment, raising concerns over procedural compliance.
With four defendants now released and legal proceedings ongoing for those still in custody, the case is shaping up to be a major test of the Boakai administration’s commitment to its anti-corruption agenda.
