Multiple online sources say banks across Africa have begun seizing accounts of the designated three government officials sanctioned by the United States Department of Treasury.
According to reports gathered yesterday, August 18, the suspended Minister of State, Nathaniel McGill, National Port Authority (NPA) Managing Director, Bill Twehway and Chief prosecutor, Sayma Syrenius Cephus accounts were reportedly frozen by the Financial Intelligence Unit of Liberia.
Our source who spoke this paper on anonymity said, “It is true because this morning a communication was sent to all financial institutions in Liberia to freeze the accounts of those sanctioned for corruption.”
Our source further disclosed that a similar communication was also sent to all financial institutions in Africa and apparently that should take effect around the world.
Meanwhile, separate sources said, the United Bank of Africa in GHANA has blocked McGill’s US$ 4 Million account in relation to the United States Department Treasury report.
According to sources in Accra, the order was issued to the bank from the United States and to other banking institutions where McGill may have deposited monies as a result of the immediate enforcement of the sanctions order.
Under the sanctions, all properties of McGill and the other two suspended officials that are in the United States are immediately seized and reported to Treasury and people who engaged in transactions with the said officials may be subject to sanctions themselves, the statement said.
“Through their corruption, these officials have undermined democracy in Liberia for their own personal benefit,” Brian Nelson, Treasury’s undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence said in a statement.
There are also hints that the sanction has hit hard on McGill who apparently is the lead as the US Green Card belonging to his wife, Vivian Innis McGill has been reportedly seized in the United States while according to reports has also resigned her post with the UN in Liberia.
The United States Government’s Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act has brought the three individuals to book and as a result of their actions, all properties and interests in property of these targets that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC.
In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons.
