The government, through the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, on Thursday, June 26, 2025, secured a major indictment against several former and current government officials and employees.
The indicted officials were arrested, but were subsequently released based “caliber of people involved.”
This action follows a detailed investigation into the illegal handling and diversion of 29,412 bags of rice donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in April 2023. The rice was intended to support disaster victims and vulnerable communities across the country.
Indicted individuals include: Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mary Broh, former Director General, General Services Agency (GSA); Varney A. Sirleaf, former Minister of Internal Affairs; Thelma Sawyer, former Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister for Administration; Henry O. Williams, former Executive Director, National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA); Augustine Tamba, Deputy Director for Operations, NDMA; Augustine M. Kollie, Director for Disaster Victims, NDMA; Edward S. Konneh, employee, NDMA; Archievego M. Doe, Communications Director, NDMA; Edris Bility, former Deputy Director for Operations, GSA; Mamie Davies, Assistant Director, GSA; Momolu Johnson, Internal Affairs Deputy Minister for Administration; Rosetta L. Gbassay Bowah, Logistics Officer, NDMA; Wayfa Ciapha, purported CEO, Group of ’77’ and Evelyn Gbee, warehouse manager, GSA.
Investigation revealed that 25,054 bags of rice, valued at approximately US$425,918, were unlawfully diverted by the accused.
“Instead of reaching the intended disaster victims, the rice was stolen through secret and unauthorized meetings, usurpation of NDMA’s statutory authority and removal and distribution of rice without documentation or legal process,” investigation unearthed.
Some suspects have admitted to their roles, confirming a coordinated internal conspiracy and severe abuse of public trust.
Crimes Charged
Those named in the conspiracy have been charged with theft of property,
economic sabotage, misapplication of entrusted property and abuse of office, criminal conspiracy.
These crimes for which they were indicted under Liberian law constitute a grave breach of ‘public trust and accountability.’
“This scandal has inflicted significant damage to disaster victims, who were denied critical food assistance; Saudi Arabia’s generous donation was misused, international trust was undermined, and public confidence in government institutions was further weakened,” according to the investigation.
“This indictment,” the report said, “is the first of three investigations completed out of 30 active cases currently under investigation by AREPT. Additional indictments are expected in July. In line with legal procedures, government has also issued a ne exeat republica (travel restriction) to ensure that none of the accused flee the country during prosecution.
Under the leadership of Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, AREPT reaffirms its commitment to investigating, recovering, and prosecuting all instances of public asset theft. This indictment sends a clear message that corruption will not go unpunished. The taskforce remains fully engaged with national and international partners to restore public trust and ensure that public resources serve the Liberian people.