By Bill W. Cooper
Some aggrieved employees of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) of Liberia are calling for the immediate suspension of the Director General, Stanley Ford, amid allegations of internal corruption totaling US$6.2m.
During their protestation yesterday, the employees noted that the FIA as an agency responsible to fight against money laundering and other illicit financing, and said the allegation against the head of the agency could further undermine the core values and integrity of the agency.
As a result, the employees are pleading with President Joseph Boakai to take a swift action to address the issue by suspending DG Ford for time indefinite and ensure that he be made to answer to the allegation levied against him, a move they believe will restore public trust in the FIA.
On February 27, 2024, it was reported by a local daily that the Financial Intelligence Agency’s Director General, Stanley Ford, allegedly received US$599,000 and withdrew the same day on the cheque bearing the name of the entity’s Comptroller, who is identified as D.M.P. Cooper.
However, the Liberia Anti-corruption Commission (LACC), in response to the publication, stated that it has, upon receiving the information, launched an immediate inquiry and invited the parties involved to a preliminary investigation at the Commission.
The LACC release, issued March 1, 2024, said, “The LACC at this point would like to assure the public that a full-fledged investigation is being conducted, and if probable cause is established, the rule of law will take its course.”
But according to the aggrieved employees, the fund allegedly misappropriated by the DG is US$6.2 million, given the FIA without approval from the Legislature yet, and the Agency is still being run without proper equipment and logistics.
In a statement released by the aggrieved employees, they expressed their frustration and disappointment with the Director General’s alleged actions, stating, “We have dedicated our careers to fighting financial crimes and upholding the integrity of the Financial Intelligence Unit.”
“And this allegation is deeply troubling to see our own leader engage in such alleged blatant corruption, jeopardizing the credibility of our institution, and as such, we cannot sit and allow him to lead this institution while he is being investigated by the LACC,” the group noted.
According to them, despite efforts from the staff asking the DG to provide some clarification concerning the allegation, he remained mute on the matter, thus raising serious concerns about the integrity of the FIA.
The group added that their action is not in any way wanting to undermine DG Ford but to ensure that the right thing is done, stressing that it is also unlawful for Director Ford to be using the institution’s funds to defend himself at the LACC.
“Again, you cannot be the head of an integrity institution and being investigated for corruption. So, we call on the President to suspend Director Ford and ensure a transparent investigation to be conducted to uncover the full extent of the corruption and ensure that those responsible are held to account,” the group added.
As the investigation into the allegations continues, employees of the Financial Intelligence Unit are hoping for a swift resolution to the crisis and assurances that steps will be taken to prevent corruption from taking hold within the institution again. They are determined to uphold the integrity of their work and ensure that their efforts to combat financial crimes are not undermined by the actions of a few corrupt individuals.
