Margibi County Senator Nathaniel F. McGill on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, honored an invitation from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to answer to allegations of payroll padding and other corrupt activities under his watch as Minister of State for Presidential Affairs during regime of former President George Weah.
Senator McGill was invited specifically to answer questions regarding an LACC’s investigation into a supplementary payroll of 728 names that was allegedly created under his instruction.
McGill was accompanied by his lawyer Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus, while Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) Chairman Janga Kowo and other supporters of the party gathered outside the premises of the LACC to show solidarity to their fellow partisan. The meeting with the LACC Commissioners was held behind closed doors and it is not clear what exact questions were posted to the senator over the alleged acts of corruption.
But speaking to reporters shortly after the meeting, Cllr. Cephus said Senator McGill is a strong fighter who believes in combating corruption; that was the reason behind his appearance at the LACC. Cllr. Cephus said even though his client is innocent, yet he submitted himself to the investigating agency as a demonstration of respect for the rule of law.
It can be recalled that in Letter dated August 16, 2024, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) informed Senator McGill that it had initiated an investigation into allegations of payroll padding and acts of corruption resulting from salary payments affecting a supplementary payroll containing 728 names at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, which was allegedly created outside of the framework of the Civil Service Agency (CSA).
The LACC letter said that details of the allegations reveal that the supplementary payroll was allegedly created under the instruction of Senator McGill through a process marred by irregularities including administrative malpractice, acts of corruption, among others. “Given your position as Minister of the Ministry of State at the time, the LACC believes that you could provide some useful information to aid its investigation. Hence, you are invited,” the letter stated, and further advised Senator McGill to come with his legal counsel and all relevant documents to support his testimony.
