MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Former Representative Acarous Moses Gray of District #8 Montserrado County, a stalwart of the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), has issued a passionate call to action on social media on Monday, July 29, 2024. In a Facebook post, Gray stated, “Let me place myself on public record that I have told the CDC in many chatrooms that diplomacy is not the language these heartless guys understand. Their desire to destroy Liberia and the CDC is clear and the moment is now Mighty CDC.”
Gray’s statement comes in the wake of a writ of arrest issued by the government through the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) for five former officials from the past CDC administration. These officials, who are being investigated for allegations of economic sabotage, theft, and illegal disbursement of public funds, include former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah, former Solicitor General Cllr. Nyenati Tuan, former Director of the Financial Intelligence Agency Stanley Ford, former Security Advisor Jefferson Karmo, and former Controller of the Financial Intelligence Agency Moses Copper.
The Monrovia City Court has already sent two of these former officials, Nyenati Tuan and Jefferson Karmo, to jail. They are currently spending their first night in Monrovia Central Prison.
Gray’s fiery rhetoric stresses the deepening tensions between the CDC and the current administration. His post suggests that the CDC perceives these arrests and the broader anti-corruption crackdown as politically motivated actions aimed at dismantling the party’s influence and legacy.
The allegations against the former officials are serious. The court documents detail a conspiracy to manipulate their positions for personal gain, beginning in July 2023. By September, they had allegedly transferred significant sums of money from the Central Bank of Liberia to the Financial Intelligence Agency’s operational accounts under false pretenses. The amounts involved—L$1,055,152,540.00 and US$500,000.00—were reportedly withdrawn shortly after the transfers and used for personal enrichment.
The legal proceedings have drawn significant public and political interest, with many viewing this case as a critical test of Liberia’s commitment to fighting corruption. However, Gray’s statement highlights a growing narrative within the CDC that these measures are a form of political persecution rather than genuine efforts to promote transparency and accountability.
As the situation unfolds, the Monrovia City Court and the involved authorities will continue to face intense scrutiny from both the domestic public and the international community. The outcome of this case may have far-reaching implications for Liberia’s political stability and its ongoing efforts to strengthen governance and curb corruption.
Gray’s call to action reflects the wider sentiment within the CDC, rallying its members to resist what they see as an existential threat. The coming days will be crucial in determining how these tensions play out and whether they will lead to further political unrest or a reaffirmation of the rule of law in Liberia.
