.. Demands Action on Ombudsman, LAA Scandals
By Amos Harris
The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has issued a sharp critique of President Joseph N. Boakai’s administration, warning that inconsistent responses to high-profile corruption allegations risk undermining public confidence in the nation’s fragile anti-corruption framework. Addressing the press in Monrovia, the integrity watchdog stated that recent scandals involving senior officials suggest a troubling pattern of weak political will and selective accountability.
CENTAL’s most pointed criticism centers on allegations involving Finley Y. Karngar, the former head of the Office of the Ombudsman—an institution specifically mandated to enforce ethical conduct among public officials. A detailed investigative report accused Karngar of extorting benefits from his Special Assistant, including monthly scratch cards and 50 percent of the assistant’s salary over a four-month period in 2025, totaling approximately US$2,000.
The investigative findings recommended Karngar’s dismissal, restitution of the funds, and a formal criminal investigation. This marked the second major corruption claim against Karngar within a year, following previous reports linking him to alleged kickback arrangements related to office rental payments. CENTAL described these actions as a direct violation of the Code of Conduct Karngar was entrusted to uphold, warning that such behavior strikes at the very core of Liberia’s integrity system.
While Karngar resigned shortly after the report’s release, CENTAL faulted President Boakai for merely accepting the resignation without referencing the investigative findings or initiating further legal action. The group argued that failure to acknowledge the gravity of the allegations or commend the investigative process sends a damaging signal. According to CENTAL, allowing an official to step down voluntarily rather than facing formal dismissal weakens deterrence and suggests a reluctance to confront corruption at the highest levels of government.
In light of these developments, CENTAL is urging the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to take full control of the matter. The watchdog is calling for a comprehensive investigation and the prosecution of any wrongdoing in accordance with the law. Furthermore, the organization demands the full implementation of the investigative report’s recommendations, including the recovery of extorted funds and the filing of criminal charges.
The watchdog also raised alarms over a separate corruption allegation involving Ernest Hughes, the Managing Director of the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) and former Vice Chairperson of the LACC. Hughes stands accused of soliciting a 15 percent kickback from a Canadian aviation contractor as a condition for approving a US$1 million payment for services at Roberts International Airport.
Reports indicate that the LAA Board recommended Hughes’ suspension and referred the matter to the Ministry of Justice. However, before the decision could be enforced, Hughes requested a leave of absence, which was subsequently accepted by the Executive Mansion. CENTAL questioned this approach, arguing that the seriousness of the solicitation charges warranted an immediate, non-voluntary suspension rather than a granted leave.
CENTAL highlighted that the contrasting handling of the Karngar and Hughes cases reflects an emerging and dangerous pattern of selective enforcement. By allowing one official to resign and another to take a leave of absence without immediate disciplinary consequences, the organization warns that the government appears to be picking and choosing which cases to pursue aggressively.
This perceived inconsistency, CENTAL warns, could erode public trust and embolden corrupt practices across the bureaucracy. The organization is now calling on President Boakai to adopt a uniform and transparent approach to all corruption allegations—one that applies equally to all officials regardless of their status, political affiliation, or institutional role.