LIBERIA – Renowned Political Activist, Jeremiah Paye has called on the Liberian Senate not to confirm Mr. David Kemah as Director General of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA). On May 16, 2022, President George nominated Mr. David Kemah as Director of the Internal Audit Agency, replacing the late Emmanuel Bartee Nyeswa who died controversially on October 10, 2020. But, appearing before the Liberian Senate for confirmation hearings, Mr. Kemah reportedly informed the Senate’s Committee on Public Accounts & Audits that he is a Liberian who holds a US Passport.
Speaking to newsmen after the confirmation hearings of Mr. Kemah, Mr. Paye said: “The Director General-designate of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), Mr. David Kemah has openly admitted to being a holder of a US Passport. This open admittance by Mr. Kemah that he holds a US Passport while under Oath is an act of honesty, but clearly DISQUALIFIES him from serving as Director General of the IAA or serving in the Liberian Government.
Being a passport holder of the US nullifies the Nationality status of Mr. David Kemah being a Liberian. He has contravened Article 28 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution, the Alien & Nationality Laws of Liberia, the Code of Conduct for Public Officials, and other legislations governing Liberian Citizenship”.
The National Deputy Secretary General of the opposition Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) further stated that in the promotion of good governance, adherence to the rule of Law, and the protection of Liberia’s nationality laws, the Liberian Senate should immediately DENY the confirmation of Mr. David Kemah as Director General of the IAA, on grounds of openly admitting to being a DUAL CITIZEN.
He then added that there are several qualified Liberians who can serve the post of Director General of the IAA, instead of confirming an individual whose citizenship is in question. The IAA is an anti-graft institution that should be headed by individuals of integrity and those beyond credibility questions.
He concluded by calling on President George Weah to withdraw the nomination of Mr. David Kemah, in order to avoid another situation like the case of Mr. Ndubusi Nwabudikie who was rejected by the Liberian Senate for failing to prove his Liberian Citizenship.
