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the scheme involved issuance of asylum-related documentation to foreign business actors.
The allegations come at a time when Liberia’s integrity in its asylum and labor administration system, is under intense scrutiny. On March 30, 2026, LILGA filed a formal complaint with the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC).
They called for a comprehensive investigation into the issuance of an attestation letter to Atta Rasool, a Pakistani national, who claimed to be seeking for asylum.
The letter, dated January 9, 2026, was reportedly issued under the supervision of Darrell S. Cholopleh, Director for Protection at the LRRRC.
However, weeks have passed since LILGA filed the complaint, and the LRRRC has yet to provide a response.
Attempts to gain clarity from the Ministry of Labour, have also failed, despite assurances from Deputy Labour Minister for Manpower Planning and Human Resource Development, Steven Kolubah, that the matter would be investigated.
LILGA asserts that the issuance of the attestation letter constitutes a “clear violation of established administrative protocols.”
According to the organization, the authority to issue such documentation resides unequivocally with the Executive Director of the LRRRC, not subordinate officials.
The breach raises concerns about potential abuse of office, and indicates a troubling breakdown of institutional integrity.
The allegations further suggest that due process in asylum applications may have been intentionally bypassed.
Under the established asylum framework, individuals seeking protection must first submit their applications to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Following this, their cases are reviewed by the statutory Asylum Committee before any employment authorization can be granted.
LILGA contends that this legally mandated process was overlooked, which calls into question the authenticity of the documentation provided.
Beyond procedural infractions, LILGA highlights concerning economic implications stemming from the alleged misconduct.
The organization claims that asylum documentation is being misused to legitimize the presence of foreign nationals engaged in business activities, enabling them to evade standard immigration and labor regulations, including work permits and associated government fees.
This malpractice, LILGA warns, results in a significant loss of lawful state revenue and undermines fair competition in the labor market for Liberians.
Moreover, LILGA has received credible information suggesting that this incident is not an isolated case, indicating a possible systemic issue within the asylum documentation process.
Such practices, if substantiated, could not only violate domestic laws, but also jeopardize the nation’s commitments under international refugee protection frameworks.
“This is a dangerous precedent. The asylum system is designed to protect vulnerable individuals fleeing persecution, not to serve as a backdoor mechanism for economic actors to circumvent the legal and revenue systems,” LILGA stated in its communication.
In light of these allegations, LILGA has called for immediate government action, including a transparent investigation, public disclosure of the findings, and administrative penalties against any officials found responsible for misconduct.
The organization also advocates for a thorough review of the governance structures surrounding asylum processes to restore integrity and accountability within the system.