By Bill W. Cooper
The Inquirer Newspaper has gathered that the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) suspended Governor Aloysious Tarlue has reportedly requested a staggering US$1.3 million in benefits if he is forced by the Executive to relinquish his position.
However, the startling revelation comes at the time the Supreme Court is set to rule in a writ of prohibition prayed for by suspended Governor’s legal team, which seeks to overturn his suspension by President Joseph Boakai.
Tarlue, who was suspended by the President on July 30, 2024, as a result of a GAC audit report that revealed significant compliance failures at the CBL from 2018-2023, has been at the center of a growing scandal against the CBL.
In his suspension letter, the President said, “Dear Tarlue: I write to inform you that you are hereby suspended from office as Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia, without compensation, with immediate effect, pending the results of an investigation that I have ordered into your stewardship of the Central Bank of Liberia.”
“The decision to suspend you is based on the Auditor General’s Report from the Compliance Audit of the Central Bank for the fiscal years 2018-2023,” the President added in his communication.
But in response, suspended Governor Tarlue, represented by legal counsel from Gongloe & Associates, Inc., then filed a petition for a Writ of Prohibition, challenging his suspension in court.
The petitioner argued that the President’s action was illegal and unconstitutional, contending that the removal of the Executive Governor of the CBL can only be done through impeachment by the National Legislature.
Tarlue and his team referenced Section 13.1 of the Amended and Restated Act Establishing the CBL (1999), which specifies the criteria for appointing Non-Executive Governors, Executive Governors, and Deputy Governors from individuals in good standing and of impeccable character in the fields of banking, finance, economics, law, or management.
However, our source disclosed that the suspended CBL boss, in a letter to the President and Board of Governors outlined his terms for resignation, which include a hefty payout of US$1.3 million if he must resign his post.
Our source added that said request was however rejected by President Boakai, encouraging Governor Tarlue to facing investigation and clear his name.
Our source added, “Yes, Governor Tarlue did write a letter to the President requesting for US$1.3 million to resign after the GAC report was published but the President denied his request and it was some the of reasons that also led to his suspension.”
Meanwhile, with this latest development, Justice in Chamber Yusuf Kabba is expected to today, August 9, 2024, rule in the matter at bar.
Accordingly, the decision of the high court, announced by Justice in-chambers Kaba on Tuesday, August 6, followed a conference regarding the Writ of Prohibition.
Information gathered that Justice Kaba reached the decision after legal teams representing both sides presented their arguments, with Defense Lawyers led by Cllr. Taiwan Gongloe contended that President Boakai’s suspension of Governor Tarlue was unconstitutional and in violation of financial laws.
The Prosecution team argued that the President acted within his duties to safeguard national security, as the expected ruling by Justice Kaba will be focused on issues of constitutional law and separation of powers.
As the Chamber Justice prepares to deliver the ruling, it is expected that all attention will be on the decision, particularly given the broad implications for governance integrity and legal processes in Liberia.
And if the court rules in favor of the government, Tarlue could be forced to serve his suspension or step down from his position, regardless of his demands from the government.