The Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe has informed the House of Representatives that there was a leaked of the assets declaration of former President George Manneh Weah.
Appearing before the Representatives on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, Cllr. Zoe disclosed that it was established that the leakage of assets declaration was done two to three years ago involving the former chairperson, Cllr. James Verdier.
She said their investigation reveals that the former chairperson requested the assets declaration of five of the former officials.
“Former President, George Weah, former Vice President, Jewel Howard Taylor, former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Nathaniel McGill, former Finance Minister, Samuel Tweah, and former Mayor, Jefferson Koijee were the names requested by former chairperson,” she admitted.
She further explained that LACC’s investigation also revealed that there were email between Cllr. Verdier and the assets declaration officer.
It can be recalled the House of Representatives summoned former Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) Chairperson, Kla Martin and the current LACC commissioners to appear and explain the actual story regarding former President George Weah’s assets declaration.
Plenary took the decision on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 during the 3rd day sitting of the 1st Extraordinary Session of the 55th Legislature of the House of Representatives following the reading of a communication from Montserrado County district #9 Representative, Frank Saah Foko.
The Montserrado County lawmaker stressed that while it is true that the exercise is good, the LACC Act of 2022 is clear about confidentiality.
He told his colleagues that assets declaration in no way constrain individuals to publish their assets as such, Weah opted not to publish his as was done by President Joseph N. Boakai.
According to him, the law says one can declare but it doesn’t force anyone to publish except doing so at your own volition.
“Hon. Speaker and fellow colleagues, it will interest you to note that Cllr. Kla Martin, the former LACC boss who was removed after a new Act came into force on March 21, 2021, told media outlets he had no record of former President George Weah filing for assets. This was fact-tracked to be false and misleading as GAC confirmed the President declared his Assets”.
