Tuesday, November 12, 2024 – Tensions reached a boiling point in Liberia’s legislature Tuesday as three top government officials appeared before the Majority Bloc of the House of Representatives to respond to allegations of bribery tied to attempts to unseat Speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr(231886458910)[email protected]
Despite a stern warning from Speaker Koffa last week, cautioning President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s administration against sending representatives before the Majority Bloc, Internal Affairs Minister Francis Sakila Nyumalin, Transport Minister Sirleaf Tyler, and Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) Managing Director Mo Ali faced a barrage of inquiries regarding claims of bribery.
The accused officials had been summoned to answer for allegations that funds from the Ministry of Transport and LWSC were funneled into a scheme designed to buy support for the removal of Speaker Koffa. This investigation, which has drawn the attention of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), has sent shockwaves through the political sphere, with many questioning the integrity of both the executive and legislative branches.
Refuting the Allegations
The session, which unfolded amid growing public pressure for transparency, saw each official vehemently deny any wrongdoing.
Mo Ali, the LWSC Managing Director, addressed the lawmakers with confidence, asserting that the allegations of bribery were baseless. He categorically rejected claims that the Corporation had offered $150,000 in bribes to Members of the House. “We operate with strict financial controls,” Ali stated, emphasizing that no such funds had been misappropriated. He further offered to provide detailed financial records, including bank account histories, to support the corporation’s innocence and called for a swift, transparent investigation by the LACC.
Tyler, Liberia’s Transport Minister, also denied the charges, labeling the accusations as “false and misleading.” According to Tyler, the Ministry adheres to the highest standards of financial management, complying fully with Public Financial Management (PFM) laws. He confirmed that the Ministry’s financial operations are rigorously audited, noting that they maintain three separate accounts and are fully supported by the Ministry of Finance.
Tyler even went as far as offering his communication records to the LACC, urging them to conduct a public investigation into the matter.
“We urge the LACC to review all communication records,” he said, “and we call for full transparency to clear our name.”
In a bold statement, Minister Tyler also announced that the Ministry of Transport plans to decentralize its operations in the coming year, aiming to increase revenue generation across the country. “We have exceeded our revenue targets, and we are focused on the future,” he said.
Chaos Erupts in the Chamber
The legislative proceedings took an unexpected turn when an incident involving pepper spray interrupted the session. Just moments after the officials began their testimonies, the chamber was filled with a pollution of noxious fumes, prompting lawmakers, journalists, and observers to cough uncontrollably. The pepper spray, believed to have been deployed by a group of men wearing red face caps, sent the session into disarray but could not disassemble the session.
The security guards, who had successfully barred the intruders from entering the chamber, quickly sealed the doors to contain the situation. However, the pepper spray continued to infiltrate the room through cracks beneath the door. As lawmakers struggled to breathe and cope with the fumes, the power in the chamber was cut, plunging the room into darkness and silencing the PA system. Despite these disruptions, the session continued as lawmakers remained resolute in their questioning of government officials.
While the identity of the assailants remains unknown, the attack raised serious concerns about the safety and security of legislative proceedings. Pepper spray exposure causes irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system, and the impact on the health of those present was immediate. Reports of symptoms such as eye pain, coughing, and throat irritation flooded in, further complicating an already tense situation.
A Call for Accountability
The pepper spray incident has added a new layer of drama to an already volatile political environment. As the LACC’s investigation into the bribery allegations continues, the Majority Bloc remains under intense scrutiny. Both the Speaker’s office and the Executive are demanding a transparent and public investigation to resolve these claims.
As the day’s events unfolded, the message from the accused officials was clear: they stand by their integrity, and they challenge their accusers to produce evidence. However, the chaotic scenes in the chamber and the continuing investigation into the allegations suggest that this political drama is far from over.
In the coming days, all eyes will be on the LACC as they work to uncover the truth behind these explosive claims. Meanwhile, the members of the Majority Bloc remain adamant that their reputations will not be tarnished without due process and proof as they have also started to give Speaker J. Fonati Koffa due process
