Verity News investigation has uncovered that the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Mines and Energy, has secretly dropped all criminal charges against more than 40 illegal Chinese miners through a questionable settlement deal. Previously, these illicit Chinese miners were indicted for Economic Sabotage, Tax Evasion, and Criminal Conspiracy.
The controversial decision, linked to illegal gold mining in Gbarpolu and Grand Cape Mount Counties, has raised a fundamental question about who’s really in control: is it the Government of Liberia or the illegal mining syndicate?Though later supported by the Ministry of Justice, Court documents in possession of Verity News reveals that this shocking dismissal of charges was not initiated by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), the only body constitutionally empowered to prosecute or end criminal cases. Instead, the agreement was signed by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), a regulatory body with zero legal authority to act in criminal matters.“
This is not just a legal error—it’s an assault on the justice system,” said an anonymous source, stressing that the MME has no standing to enter court and discontinue criminal charges. Our investigation further uncovered that the case was secretly shut down through a “Stipulation of Voluntary Discontinuance” (VD), under which the accused agreed to pay a mere $300,000 in fines, split over two payments, to the Liberia Revenue Authority.Many argue that this sum is ridiculous compared to the millions in untaxed gold exports and the environmental damage inflicted. The secrecy of the agreement, combined with its leniency, has drawn accusations of collusion, corruption, and executive overreach.
The resident Judge of the fifth judicial Circuit, Grand Cape County, Ousman F. Feika, acknowledged the deal and granted a motion of nolle prosequi, despite the VD not being signed by anyone within the MOJ. Legal observers say this directly violates Chapter 16.4.3 of Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law, which gives only the Justice Ministry the power to dismiss such cases.“
This was not a legal settlement—it was surrender,” said Counselor Amos Paye. “The rule of law was sacrificed at the altar of political expediency.”Not only were the charges dropped “with prejudice,” meaning the defendants cannot be retried, but the court also ordered the return of passports and bonds, and instructed court clerks to erase the charges from public record.Among the beneficiaries: Chinese nationals Gao Feng (aka “Barry the Real Minister”), Mo Hailong, and Zheng Yi, along with Liberian companies tied to politically connected figures.The scandal has put mounting pressure on President Joseph Boakai and the Justice Ministry for allowing such a ridiculous deal to take place under their watch. Civil society groups in both Cape Mount and Gbapolu counties are calling for an urgent investigation, citing what they describe as a deliberate and unconstitutional abuse of prosecutorial power.
Despite the case’s closure, its repercussions are only beginning. Legal analysts suggest the agreement could be overturned as unconstitutional. Lawmakers, watchdog groups, and ordinary citizens in the affected counties are now demanding transparency and accountability.As public pressure continues to build up, the Boakai administration must take every necessary step in addressing this situation. Here is the million dollars question, is the Government of Liberia still in charge, or have illegal miners seized control of the law itself?
This is a looming question that the Boakai-Koung administration needs to address before the country natural resources get depleted. The proliferation of illegal mining activities across the country is alarming. These illicit miners are not only scrapping offs the Liberia’s of its natural resources but they are also creating environmental hazard for the local communities and endanger species. The foreign miners are said to be using life threating chemical, thereby exposing polluting the water sources and the land.
