The Office of the Ombudsman has taken a strong stance against growing concerns about transparency and accountability in public service by recommending the suspension of dozens of lawmakers who have failed to comply with Liberia’s asset declaration laws.
Among those named are former Speaker Alex Tyler and 41 other lawmakers 12 senators and 29 representatives who, according to the Ombudsman, have violated Section 4.1 of the Code of Conduct, which mandates all public officials to declare their assets. The Office is calling for their immediate suspension without pay.
Speaking during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing, Cllr. Findley Karngar, Executive Director of the Office of the Ombudsman, urged that the salaries of the non-compliant lawmakers be redirected toward the public interest until they fulfill their legal obligations.
The 12 senators flagged include: Alex Tyler (Bomi County), Simeon Taylor (Grand Cape Mount), Gboto Kanneh (Gbarpolu), Zoe Emmanuel Pennue and Thomas Y. Nimely (Grand Gedeh), Wellington Geevon Smith and Bill Tweahway (River Cess), Crayton Duncan (Sinoe), Numene T.H. Bartekwa (Grand Kru), James S. Biney (Maryland), Saah Joseph (Montserrado), and Samuel Kogar (Nimba).
While the 29 representatives were not named publicly, the Ombudsman confirmed their names have been forwarded to House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon for immediate action.
Karngar emphasized the importance of upholding the Code of Conduct, adding that the Office of the Ombudsman remains committed to enforcing compliance and ensuring greater accountability across all levels of government
