By: Margret Nyumah—
Monrovia, Liberia – The Office of the Ombudsman has recommended disciplinary action against several lawmakers and judicial officials for failing to comply with Liberia’s Asset Declaration Laws, expressing deep concern over the widespread non-compliance.
At a regular press briefing hosted by the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT), the Executive Director, Cllr. Findley Kangar disclosed that 29 members of the House of Representatives and 12 Senators have not submitted their legally mandated asset declarations.
Cllr. Kangar emphasized that this failure constitutes a direct violation of the declaration requirement reaffirmed by President Joseph Boakai at the start of his administration.
President Boakai had made it clear that all officials across the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches must declare their assets in accordance with existing laws.
In response, the Office of the Ombudsman has written to the Speaker and the Pro-Tempore of both the House of Representatives and Senate – recommending the immediate suspension of non-compliant officials, and withhold their salaries until they comply with prescribed legal requirements.
Among those named as non-compliant are:
Senator Alex Tayler (Bomi County)
Senator Simeon Taylor (Grand Cape Mount)
Senator Gboto Kanneh (Gbarpolu County)
Outgoing Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Youh
Associate Justices Yusuf Kabba and Siennieh D. Clinton-Johnson
Senators Emmanuel Zoe Pennue and Thomas Y. Nimely (Grand Gedeh)
Senator Wellington Smith (River Cess)
Senator Crayton Duncan (Sinoe)
Senator Numinine Batiquan (Grand Kru)
Senator James S. Banning (Maryland)
Senator Saah Joseph (Montserrado), and
Representative Samuel Kogar (Nimba)
The Office of the Ombudsman has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding transparency and accountability in public service and is urging swift enforcement of penalties to restore public trust.
