The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has strongly refuted claims that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai ordered the grounding of a bus donated to former First Lady Clar Marie Weah’s foundation.
Reports circulated after journalist Abraham Godsent Whenon alleged that the Ministry of Finance and the Executive Mansion confirmed President Boakai instructed the LRA Commissioner General to withhold clearance for the vehicle, despite former First Ladies being entitled to duty-free privileges. The bus has reportedly remained uncleared for over four months.
In a statement, the LRA dismissed the allegations as “an imaginative fabrication with no iota of truth,” stressing that the institution operates independently and free from political interference.
The authority further clarified that it has not refused any payment from Mrs. Weah, reaffirming its mandate to collect all lawful government revenue.
The LRA emphasized its commitment to enhancing domestic resource mobilization to support Liberia’s development agenda.
It may be recalled, Abraham Godsent Wheon II, Openly Threaten the Vice president on Radio
Swiftly, the Civil Society Human Rights Advocacy Platform (CSO Platform) noted of attempts to politicize the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), stressing that this action was malicious and intended to create discord between the army and the people of Liberia.
In a press release, the group stated that according to sections 8.2 and 8.3 of the National Defense Act of 2008, the AFL is required to uphold democratic values, human rights, and remain politically neutral.
The released also noted that AFL should not engage in any political party or similar organization. This recent broadcast was aired on Freedom FM by Abraham Wheon.
Wheon, the presenter and manager of the station, made inflammatory and inciteful comments about former AFL Chief of Staff, Maj Gen. Prince C Johnson III, during the recent October 10, 2023, Presidential and Legislative Elections.
He accused the Chief of Staff of not supporting the president and of dismissing commissioned officers who support the regime.
The CSO Platform and human rights community find these comments troubling, as Freedom FM is owned by Deputy NSA Director Sam Siryon, a staunch regime supporter, which adds credibility to Mr. Wheon’s remarks.
This action, according to the group, goes against the principles of journalism, which aim to serve the greater good of society, and violates the National Defense Act of 2008.
The human rights community and CSO-Platform urged caution among journalists and Liberians, emphasizing that the 20 years of peace celebrated in August should not be compromised for the selfish interests of a few individuals in society.
