By: Frank P. Martin
MONROVIA: The newest pro-democracy group, styled: “Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND), a prominent advocate for transparency and accountability in Liberia, has vehemently rejected and condemned in the strongest terms, the recent report issued by the Specialized Committee that investigated reports of tampering with the 2024 National Budget that was initially passed into law as instrument for government operations.
STAND described the report as “a calculated cover-up of organized criminal activity involving some legislative officials.”
“We have attached a copy of the report outlining the findings of our independent investigation, which was conducted under the mandate of the Specialized Committee to investigate the alleged alteration of the 2024 National Budget. With sentiment to the highest esteem, I sincerely submit, trusting in plenary collective judgment to address this matter,” Representative Robert Flomo Womba, Chair of the Committee, said in a communication submitted to House Speaker, Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa.
However, the House Specialized Committee’s Report, containing its findings relative to the alteration of the 2024 National Budget have been criticized as a “flagrant miscarriage of justice.”
The report said to be shielding some powerful state officials from prosecution while unfairly targeting lower-level staffs in the 55th Legislature.
Critics of the government asserted that evidence within the report itself points to lawmakers’ involvement in the illegal alteration of the 2024 national budget, which was initially approved and submitted to the President’s Office on May 7, 2024.
The budget was reportedly tampered with to insert at least US$20 million for unauthorized expenditures.
STAND, in a statement issued in Monrovia on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, highlighted a particularly alarming issue including the forgery of the Speaker Koffa’s signature during his absence from the country.
STAND: “The report also exposes a serious crime: the forgery of the Speaker’s signature while he was out of the country.”
According to STAND, “Despite overwhelming evidence implicating members of the Joint Ways, Means, and Finance Committee, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Womba report astonishingly shifting blame to junior staffers is an affront to the intelligence of the Liberian people.”
STAND calls for an immediate and thorough investigation into the fraudulent activities uncovered.
The newest Pro-democracy also stated that all those implicated, regardless of their status, must be held accountable to restore public trust and address systemic issues within the government.
“The current refusal to prosecute those involved is seen as a continuation of a broken system that protects the elite while scapegoating the vulnerable,” STAND lamented in its press statement.
STAND has announced its intention to petition the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) for a formal investigation and prosecution, if there is no immediate action.
According to the LACC’s mandate, the Commission is required to address cases of corruption, fraud, and abuse of power, and STAND aims to ensure that this mandate is fully exercised.
STAND emphasized that Liberia cannot afford to sustain a system where the powerful people are shielded and the powerless are punished.
“STAND remains committed to advocating for justice and will seek international support to view the implicated officials as perpetrators of economic crimes rather than as esteemed figures,” the statement added.
The group also plans to push for the revocation of any undeserved privileges or honors.
“Driven by a strong commitment to Liberia’s future, STAND is determined to hold accountable those responsible for manipulating the 2024 National Budget for personal gain.
“In our pursuit of justice, we will urge our international partners to view these individuals not as dignitaries but as perpetrators of economic crimes that have hindered the nation’s progress and we will call for the revocation of any privileges or honors they no longer deserve,” the group concluded.
