MONROVIA – Margibi County Senator Nathaniel McGill has taken a step back in the face of ongoing investigations by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC). On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, McGill issued a statement announcing his decision to withdraw the Writ of Prohibition previously filed before the Chamber Justice of the Supreme Court. This move, he claims, demonstrates his commitment to transparency and accountability in public service and a willingness to allow the LACC’s investigation to proceed unhindered.
“In my commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in public service and to hold both past and present government officials accountable for their stewardship, I have instructed my lawyers to withdraw the Writ of Prohibition filed before the Chamber Justice of the Supreme Court,” McGill stated. “This withdrawal will allow the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to continue its investigation without any hindrance. We remain fully prepared to vindicate ourselves at any time.”
Senator McGill further defended his actions during his tenure as Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, under the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), stating that supplementary payrolls are not a crime. He emphasized that no framework of the Civil Service Agency (CSA) was violated during his term. According to McGill, the practice of supplementary payrolls has long been a standard practice within the government and continues to be utilized under the current administration.
McGill’s statement comes in response to the LACC’s ongoing investigation into an alleged “Supplementary Payroll” scandal that surfaced during his time in office. The investigation, which began with an invitation to McGill on August 20, 2024, seeks to uncover the truth behind allegations of payroll padding and administrative malpractice within the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs. The LACC’s letter, dated August 16, 2024, detailed concerns about a supplementary payroll containing 728 names allegedly created outside the CSA framework under McGill’s instruction, raising serious questions about corruption and financial misconduct.
The senator’s sudden withdrawal marks a sharp turn from his legal strategy just a day earlier. On August 27, 2024, McGill, through his legal team, filed for a writ of prohibition against the LACC, aiming to halt any ongoing investigation into his actions. His petition to the Supreme Court argued that as Minister of State, he acted under the direct orders of former President George Weah, which he claimed should grant him immunity from prosecution or investigation. The petition sought to restrain and prohibit the LACC from continuing its investigation, asserting that McGill’s actions were under the scope of his duties as the President’s principal assistant, as outlined by Revised Code 12, subsection 2.1.
McGill’s legal argument further contended that the Ministry of Justice, as the government’s legal advisor, should understand the constitutional powers and immunities associated with the presidential office and avoid actions that could demean its sanctity. However, with his recent decision to withdraw the petition, it appears McGill is now opting to face the investigation directly.
The LACC, in its pursuit of transparency, remains firm in its commitment to uncovering the facts surrounding the supplementary payroll scandal. The Commission’s letter, signed by Program Manager for Monitoring and Investigation Baba M. Borkai and approved by Oversight Commissioner Rev. Randolph Tebbs, highlighted the severity of the allegations, stating, “The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) presents its compliments and informs you that it has initiated an investigation into allegations of Payroll Padding and acts of corruption resulting from salary payments affecting a Supplementary Payroll containing 728 names at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, which was allegedly created outside of the framework of the Civil Service Agency (CSA).”
As Senator McGill prepares to face the LACC’s scrutiny, the Liberian public eagerly awaits the details he promised to reveal in his upcoming press conference. This unfolding saga continues to spotlight the pressing issue of corruption in Liberia’s government, underlining the critical need for accountability and integrity in public office.
