By Amos Harris
Thirteen former government officials and employees face trial today, August 17, 2026, before Criminal Court “C” in Montserrado County over the alleged misappropriation of more than 25,000 bags of rice donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for disaster victims in Liberia. The high-profile case is emerging as a major test of the nation’s efforts to recover public assets and hold officials accountable for the alleged diversion of humanitarian assistance intended for vulnerable communities.
Those indicted include former Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, former Internal Affairs Minister Varney A. Sirleaf, former Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister for Administration Thelma Sawyer, and former Deputy Internal Affairs Minister for Administration Momolu Johnson. Also named are former National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) Executive Director Henry O. Williams, former General Services Agency (GSA) Deputy Director for Operations Edris Bility, NDMA Director for Disaster Victims Augustine Kollie, and NDMA employee Edward S. Konneh.
Rounding out the list of defendants are NDMA Communications Director Archievego M. Doe, NDMA Logistics Officer Rosetta L. Gbassay Bowah, Warehouse Manager Evelyn Gbee, GSA Assistant Director Mamie Davies, and Wayfa Ciapha, identified as the purported CEO of the Group of Seventy-Seven.
The case originates from an April 2023 donation of 29,412 bags of 25-kilogram rice valued at approximately US$500,000, provided by Saudi Arabia to support disaster-affected communities across Liberia. The consignment was placed in government-managed warehouses for distribution. However, an investigation by the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) allegedly uncovered significant discrepancies in the process.
According to the indictment, 25,054 bags valued at roughly US$425,918 were allegedly stolen, misapplied, or improperly distributed. Consequently, the defendants face charges including theft of property, economic sabotage, misuse of public money, misapplication of entrusted property, abuse of office, and criminal conspiracy. Following their 2025 indictment and subsequent pretrial proceedings, Criminal Court “C” ruled on August 11, 2026, that the trial would commence at 9:00 a.m. on August 17.
For AREPT, the trial represents a crucial stage in its mandate to ensure public resources are subjected to judicial scrutiny. In a statement issued by Public Relations Officer Joseph F. Daniels, the Taskforce emphasized that an indictment does not establish guilt, noting that the evidence must be tested in court to determine criminal responsibility and potential restitution. AREPT pledged to collaborate with the Ministry of Justice while respecting due process and the independence of the judiciary.
Given the high-profile nature of the defendants and the severity of the charges, the proceedings are expected to draw significant public attention. Beyond the individual verdicts, the outcome could serve as a pivotal benchmark for transparency, oversight, and Liberia’s broader anti-corruption agenda.