The Executive Director of InfoQuest-Liberia, Matthias Yeanay has expressed disappointment over the prolong delay if not failure on the part of members of the Judiciary Branch of Government to declare their assets.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday July 16, 2024, the InfoQuest boss told reporters that following his fruitful partnership meeting with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, he was shockingly informed that only two hundred and two officials of government at this time have so far declared their assets with no member from the Judiciary, something he described as unacceptable. “The number which represents those from the Executive and Legislative branches of government is not encouraging and as such, we call on duty bearers to do the needful,” he reemphasized.
According to him, as key branch of the Liberian Government like the Judiciary, it is imperative that it set good examples and abide by the rule of law as they continue to interpret the laws of the country and one of the best ways to do so, is to declare their assets.
“We are surprised that key officials of the Judiciary are yet to comply with said instrument,” he added. Mr. Yeanay told reporters at the news conference that under the obligation to file Asset declaration statement, the LACC shall issue Assets Declaration (AD) forms that shall be completed, signed, notarized, and filed in accordance with Section 10.1 and 10.2(h) of the National Code of Conduct by all persons occupying the following positions under the Judiciary.
He stated further that there are five categories or group of people under the Judiciary who are yet to comply in the Declaration of their assets and they include, the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Judges of Circuit Courts and Circuits-level specialized Courts.
Others include, Stipendiary and Associate Magistrates, Clerk of the Supreme Court, Circuit-level specialized Courts and Court administrators, Comptrollers, Procurement officers, Developmental Directors and Project Managers respectively.
“According to the “Regulations for the Administration, monitoring, receiving and implementation of the asset declaration in accordance with the National Code of Conduct for all public officials and employees of the Government of the Republic of Liberia for the Judiciary under obligation to file assets Declaration statement but none of them have complied,” he noted.
He described the refusal of members of the judiciary to declare their assets as troubling and worrisome. At the same time, the Head of InfoQuest-Liberia used the occasion to call on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to take drastic action against appointed officials of government who have failed to declare their assets but have begun work already.
The Unity Party led government he said has come to power under the premise of fighting corruption as well as being accountable and transparent to its people and as such, they should live by their slogan, “No Business as Usual.”
“InfoQuest thinks the “R” in the Arrest Agenda that stands for the RULE OF LAW is being hijacked as such, The Judiciary, the Legislature and Executive must act to protect and uphold the Rule of Law,” Matthias maintained. “We remain resolved and will continue our advocacy until the needful is done in the interest of the people and the state,” the Civil Society group through its Executive Director lamented.
