Home EconomyCorruption From Liberia’s President: Gongloe Wants Immunity Removed …In Cases of Corruption, Murder

From Liberia’s President: Gongloe Wants Immunity Removed …In Cases of Corruption, Murder

by News Manager

By Elbie Sebleh

MONROVIA: Renowned Human Rights Lawyer, Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, has proposed dozens of reforms in the Liberian legal system as a paradigm shift towards ending corruption in the public sector.

Delivering an address on the Topic: “Strengthening Liberia’s governance: ending corruption through accountability and legal reforms,” Cllr. Gongloe, speaking over the weekend in the Zondo Town, Logan Town Community, in Monrovia, described corruption as Liberia most persistent and destructive challenge.

He stressed that the truth path to ending corruption in Liberia is to make “bold and decisive changes” in the 1986 Constitution of Liberia.

Gongloe: ” One of the most critical steps we can take is to amend our Constitution is to remove the immunity currently granted to the President of Liberia in cases of corruption and murder. The highest office in the land must not be a shield to illegal activities but rather a beacon of integrity and accountability,” Gongloe urged.

He spoke on Friday, August 23, 2024, at program organized by the Lincoln Peace Foundation, through its Policy Advocacy Network.

The day-long interactive Governance and Society dialogue was held under the theme: “Enriching the minds for a better society”.

The dialogue brought together dozens of residents of District-#15, Montserrado County, who after the dialogue, pledged to engage in policy Advocacy to hold their government accountable.

Cllr. Gongloe urged Liberians to work together to amend the Constitution of Liberia, saying that this will ensure that the President and all public officials are subject to the same laws as every citizen.

He argued that Presidential immunity should only protect the President of Liberia when performing lawful duties as intended by the framers of the Liberian Constitution, and the people of Liberia.

Liberia Ex-solicitor General of Liberia recommended that the government should ensure that Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Laws are strengthened by removing the status of limitations for corruption offenses.

He warned that corruption should not be an offense that fades with time, allowing perpetrators to escape Justice.

” By making corruption prosecutable at any time, we send a clear message that no one, regardless of their position or the passage of time, is above the law. As we seek to chart a new course for Liberia, we can look to other African nations as example. Countries like Botswana, Mauritius, Cape Verde, Zambia and Seychelles,” he pointed out.

According to the Liberian lawyer, these countries have made significant strides in reducing corruption and fostering governance that truly serves the people.

He added that these nations have leaders whose lifestyles reflect humility, respect for the rule of law, and a commitment to human rights.

According to him, corruption in public service, takes many forms and is a cancer that has long plagued Liberia, undermining the very foundation of Liberia’s democracy, eroding public trust in institutions, and stifling the progress Liberian people so desperately deserve.

” We must face a hard truth. The root of corruption often extends to the highest level of power. Historically, the illegal withdrawal of funds from our Central Bank, unauthorized spending by ministers and executive authorities, questionable procurement processes and even the unexplained deaths of auditors and political opponents have all too often been traceable to the office of the President of Liberia. These actions are not just violation of the law, they are betrayal of the public trust,” said Gongloe who is also former President of the Liberia National Bar Association.

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