Rev. M. Emmanuel Nimely, the former religious affairs advisor to ex-President George M. Weah, has been released on bail by Criminal Court ‘C’ following nearly a year of pretrial detention at Monrovia Central Prison. His release comes amid ongoing legal proceedings related to a high-profile visa scam that defrauded dozens of Liberians.
Rev. Nimely, once a prominent spiritual figure and political insider, was arrested in June 2024 after being accused of orchestrating a visa fraud scheme involving over 90 individuals. According to court documents, he collected more than US$87,000 from victims under the false pretense of securing travel arrangements to Australia for a fabricated religious conference titled “Healing Broken Hearts of Australia Reconciliation Conference and Crusade.”
Investigations revealed that Nimely used his position as Senior Pastor of Forkay Klon Church and founder of the so-called “Global Spiritual Cleansing Peace and Reconciliation Organization” as a front for the scam. The charges against him include theft of property and issuing deceptive writings, in violation of Liberia’s Revised Penal Law.
Police reports show that the fraud was initially uncovered by one of the victims, H. Momo Fortune Jr., a resident of Old Road, who paid US$3,500 after being convinced by Nimely of the legitimacy of the trip. Fortune’s complaint was soon joined by over 80 others, each claiming to have paid US$970 for the same fake promise of travel and spiritual engagement in Australia.
During the investigation, Nimely confessed to receiving the funds without fulfilling the agreed-upon services or issuing refunds to the defrauded parties. Despite the severity of the allegations, the charges are bailable offenses. However, his inability to initially post a valid criminal appearance bond led to his imprisonment last June.
