As the Government of Liberia begins investigating alleged acts of corruption by former public officials, the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has issued a strong statement against the arrest of its former officials.
The former ruling party through its National Secretary General Jefferson Tamba Koijee issued a statement on Monday, July 29, 2024 addressing the ongoing corruption investigation that has led to the arrest of several of its members who served while the party was in control of state power.
In his statement, Koijee emphasized that “the peace of this country is bigger than Mr. Boakai and his shameless and spineless risky mission,” signaling the CDC’s firm stance against what it perceives as political manipulation of the judiciary.
Koijee warned that “any attempt to politicize the peace and weaponize the judiciary will be defaced and met with stiff resistance.”
He drew a parallel to the situation in Egypt, suggesting that a Liberian “Mohammed Morsi” scenario could be unfolding. He urged CDC partisans and citizens to remain calm, reassuring them that the National Executive Committee of the party is in full control of what he described as a “fruitless and senseless attempt” by the Unity Party to undermine the credibility of the former CDC-led government.
“The UP will be defaced and vanquished subsequently! Indeed, the return of a great comeback of the people’s revolution is definitely setting,” Koijee declared.
This statement comes in the wake of a writ of arrest issued for five former officials who served under the past CDC administration. The officials include, former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah, former Solicitor General, Cllr. Nyenati Tuan, former Director of the Financial Intelligence Agency, Stanley Ford, former Security Advisor Jefferson Karmol, and former Controller of the Financial Intelligence Agency, Moses Copper.
They are being investigated for allegations of economic sabotage, theft and illegal disbursement of public funds.
As of now, two of the five former officials, Nyenati Tuan and Jefferson Karmol, have been arrested and have spent their first night in jail at the Monrovia Central Prison. The arrests mark a significant development in the government’s broader crackdown on corruption.
The CDC’s statement reflects the party’s strong opposition to what it views as political persecution and highlights the tension between the current administration and the main opposition CDC.
The government’s actions and the CDC’s response will undoubtedly shape the discourse around governance and accountability in Liberia.
