The leadership of the 55th National Legislature is now under pressure to exert all efforts in naming and shaming the culprits of the altered 2024 approved budget.
This comes in the wake of official confirmation that, as rumored, the 2024 National Budget was altered.
The Specialized Committee appointed by Speaker J. Fonati Koffa has established that the 2024 National Budget passed by the National Legislature was tempered with by some unnamed members of the Executive and Legislative Branches of Government.
On Tuesday, September 3, the Investigative Committee that was set up by House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa confirmed that the approved 2024 budget was tempered/altered, but refused to name the alleged culprits involved with committing such a grave offense.
The Specialized Committee admitted that the alteration was done by some high-ranking officials from the Executive and Legislative branches of government but remained tight-lipped on the individuals they claimed were responsible.
In their report, the committee stated that administrative staff from both branches were mandated by their respective superiors to carry out such acts.
According to the report, photocopies of the approved budget’s front and cover pages, bearing the signatures of key officials including the Speaker, were made and attached to the altered budget.
This demonstrates that the unnamed culprits of the budget alterations forged signatures and attached them to the altered budget.
The investigation also revealed that the altered budget was criminally executed and submitted to the President for final approval before being issued in a handbill.
However, the committee’s report did not clarify whether President Joseph Boakai was aware of the grave crime.
The committee further indicated that the high-ranking officials who orchestrated the alteration were members of the Executive and Legislative Branches of Government, yet failed to specifically identify those individuals.
With the latest report casting a dark cloud over the Boakai-led government, many Liberians, especially some lawmakers, are left dismayed over the situation.
The report claimed that the sealed culprits used photocopies of the front and back cover pages of the approved budget. According to them, the alteration was carried out after the Speaker had gone to the U.S.
The investigation unveiled that some institutions not considered during the approved budget plan were included in the altered budget. Some state actors, particularly Sinoe County District 3 Representative Alex S. Noah, expressed frustration over the committee’s failure to name his colleagues involved.
Minutes after the committee provided their report, Representative Noah spoke to the press in an angry tone, expressing his frustration over the matter.
He described the culprits whom the committee failed to name as a “bunch of sonicates” wanting to spoil the integrity of the Legislature and Executive Branches for their gains.
“We will not keep friendships that spoil our country. My position is not about who we know, who we are close to, or who will feel bad; this must stop.”
Representative Noah wants the committee to revisit its report, arguing that it is sealing the names of culprits who he claims are senior officials of the Legislature and Executive.
The Southeastern Representative is urging the Speaker to take robust action to bring the culprits to justice and ensure they face the full weight of the law.
According to him, the legislature is not best suited to handle this matter, and an independent body, such as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission or the General Auditing Commission (GAC), should conduct a forensic investigation.
“This is a serious national crime that should not be taken lightly. This is truly troubling for our country, and it has to stop,” Rep. Alex Noah asserted vocally.
He threatened to end his relationship with Speaker J. Fonati Koffa if adequate action is not taken to hold the fiscal criminals accountable.
He believes the matter is being compromised and that there is a need to allow independent body such as Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) or the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to carry on forensic investigation.
