NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has secured a sweeping criminal indictment against several former and current officials of the Bureau of State Enterprises (BSE), alongside private companies and individuals, for alleged acts of economic sabotage and related financial crimes.
The indictment was returned by the Grand Jury of Montserrado County and is currently before His Honor Roosevelt Z. Willie, Resident Circuit Judge of the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Assizes “A,” during its November Term, A.D. 2025.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
Those named include former BSE Director General, Hon. Arthur S. Massaquoi; Comptroller Matthew F. Kotio; former Acting Director General, Hon. Varlee F. Sanor; Director of Administration, Jessephen Yah Dahn; Filing Clerk, Kathinal Mitchell; Accountant, Isaac C. Kporkulah; Budget Officer and Petty Cash Custodian, Madam Jarso M. Duwor Jallah; and Mohammed V. Fofana, Technical Assistant to the Acting Director General.
Also indicted are Everest Investment Company, Inc., represented by its General Manager, Jandy Gray, along with other persons yet to be identified.
According to the indictment, the defendants allegedly conspired between 2024 and 2025 to defraud the Government of Liberia through unauthorized payments, procurement violations, and the misuse of public funds.
The LACC alleges that senior BSE officials approved and facilitated payments totaling US$19,902.21 and LRD 942,750, issued in the names of junior staff under the guise of Daily Sustenance Allowance (DSA) for out-of-station activities that were never conducted and could not be properly accounted for. Additional payments to staff and contractors reportedly lacked verifiable justification or proof of services rendered.
Procurement and Contract Irregularities
A significant portion of the indictment focuses on contracts awarded to Benefit Trading International, Inc. and Everest Investment Company, Inc.
Investigators allege that BSE management entered into business transactions with Benefit Trading International without conducting a competitive bidding process, in violation of public procurement laws.
The indictment further claims that payments to the company exceeded the approved contract amount of US$9,000, rising to US$9,533 without proper authorization.
In the case of Everest Investment Company, the LACC alleges that the firm was selected without any procurement process and received consultancy payments far above its contractual monthly retainer of US$1,500.
For July 2025 alone, the company allegedly received US$2,895, resulting in an unexplained excess payment of US$1,395.
Third-Party Payments and Unaccounted Funds
The indictment details numerous payments made in the names of BSE staff—including Kathinal Mitchell, Isaac C. Kporkulah, and Madam Jarso M. Duwor Jallah—amounting to tens of thousands of United States and Liberian dollars.
These payments were allegedly made without supporting documentation, justification, or proof of expenditure.
Additionally, Mohammed V. Fofana is accused of receiving US$800 and LRD 30,000 on behalf of Everest Investment Company, with no evidence that the funds were ever transferred to the company.
Ganta Travel Claims
The LACC also cited alleged misuse of public funds relating to official travel to Ganta, Nimba County, for the funeral of the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson.
According to the indictment, officials reportedly received DSA payments above approved government rates and later authorized additional payments for alleged arrears and hotel expenses that could not be substantiated.
The defendants are charged under multiple provisions of Liberia’s Penal Law, including Economic Sabotage (Sections 15.80, 15.81, and 15.82), Theft of Property (Section 15.51), Misapplication of Entrusted Property, and Criminal Conspiracy and Facilitation.
The alleged offenses range from first-degree to second-degree felonies.
The indictment states that the defendants have no affirmative legal defense for their actions, which it describes as being “against the peace and dignity of the Republic of Liberia.”
The case, docketed as MONT/CCC/CRC/072/2025, is expected to proceed to trial, where prosecutors will seek to prove that the defendants knowingly and intentionally defrauded the Government of Liberia through coordinated acts of financial misconduct.
The LACC says the indictment reflects its continued commitment to combating corruption, promoting transparency, and ensuring accountability in the management of public resources.
