IAA Refutes Corruption Allegations

IAA Refutes Corruption Allegations

The Internal Audit Agency (IAA) has categorically denied allegations of corruption related to a vehicle rental contract awarded to a Liberian-owned business, and has described recent media reports as misleading and unfounded.

In a press statement issued Tuesday, July 8, 2025, the IAA clarified that it legally entered into a short-term, renewable contract with E-12, a registered Liberian company, for vehicle rental services.

The agreement, which ran from April to June 30, 2025, IAA indicated, set the rental fee at US$65 per day—amounting to a maximum of US$1,950 per month but only for days the vehicle was used.

The Agency emphasized that it did not pay for unused days, driver salaries, or vehicle maintenance under the terms of the agreement.

Furthermore, IAA pointed out that E-12’s service was “excellent,” and that the driver had received personal gratuity based on positive staff feedback—not as part of any contractual obligation.

According to the Agency, E-12’s contract expired on June 30, and a new service provider has since been contracted under the same terms. The decision not to renew E-12’s contract was due to procurement rules that limit contract duration, not performance concerns.

The IAA also addressed the circulation of internal documents on social media, confirming they were removed without authorization. It urged the public to be cautious about accepting such material at face value, and encouraged media outlets to seek clarification before publishing sensitive content.

From October 2022 to June 2025, the IAA has operated without a single utility vehicle and has lacked budgetary support to purchase one, the statement added. The Agency has therefore relied on short-term rentals from multiple providers to carry out its operations, including transporting auditors and delivering critical documents to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.

“It is important to emphasize that the contracts in question were legitimately awarded and duly signed by the Deputy Director General for Administration with the full approval of the Director General, who, as head of the institution, takes full responsibility for all procurement actions undertaken.”

IAA among other things urged the media to report responsibly and professionally, noting that the allegations serve only to distract from the Agency’s core mission of ensuring financial integrity within the public sector.