Monrovia – The Office of the Ombudsman has levied fines against 20 public officials, including Labor Minister Cllr. Cooper Kruah and Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) Managing Director Amos B. Tweh, for their repeated failure to appear at hearings concerning alleged violations of Part V of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials.
Each official was fined US$1,000 on Friday, April 4, 2025, following what the Ombudsman described as a pattern of deliberate avoidance and disregard for lawful summons. National Port Authority Board Chair J. Luther Tarpeh was also among those sanctioned.
The officials had initially engaged Henry’s Law Firm to represent them and requested multiple postponements, citing the need for adequate preparation of their clients’ defense. On February 19, a one-week delay was granted upon request. However, when resummoned for a follow-up hearing on February 24, the legal team again sought another week but failed to appear without prior notice or explanation.
Alongside Kruah, Tweh, and Tarpeh, the list of officials fined includes Ms. Lucia Massalee Yallah, Mr. Emmanuel Zorh, Jr., Atty. Cornelia Kruah-Togba, Mr. Whroway Bryant, Mr. Emmanuel K. Farr, Ambassador Sheikh Al-Moustapha Kouyateh, Mr. Ben A. Fofana, Ms. Patience Randall, Mr. Edmund Forh, Ms. Selena P. Mappy, Mr. Melvin Cephus, Ms. Lucia Tarpeh, Mr. Robert Bestman, Mr. James Yolei, Mr. Collins Tamba, Mr. Kansualism B. Kansuah, and Cllr. Kuku Y. Dorbor.
The Ombudsman has resummoned the sanctioned officials to appear at its offices on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 10 a.m., warning that further noncompliance could result in additional penalties.
In a strongly worded statement, the Office of the Ombudsman reminded all public officials of their obligation to adhere to ethical standards and to conduct themselves in accordance with the Code of Conduct. The body emphasized that integrity, accountability, and respect for lawful processes are essential components of public service.
The fines are part of the Office’s renewed effort to enforce ethical standards and ensure that violations of public conduct guidelines are addressed with appropriate sanctions.
