The Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) the parent body for Liberian lawyers has threatened to take punitive action against the suspended Solicitor General of Liberia, Cllr. Cyrenius Cephus on account of his recent sanction by the United States Treasury Department for alleged corruption.
According to the LNBA National Vice President, Cllr.Jamel Dehtho, disclosed that the Bar is considering taking action against its suspended member for what he described as very strong allegations against him by the U.S. Treasury Department.
Cllr. Cephus, according to the U.S. Treasury Department report, is under sanctions for among other things allegedly tempering with and purposefully withholding evidence in cases, something the Bar terms as unprofessional on the part of the accused.
Quoting rule seven of the Bar code of work and professional ethics, the LNBA Vice President said their rule prohibits any lawyer from such act. Speaking Friday, September 2, 2022 in Ganta, Nimba County, at the opening of a two-day strategic planning meeting organized by the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL), Cllr. Dehtho indicated that the Bar welcomes the decision of the United States Government to sanctions these officials, and is ready to take action against those involved.
Last August, 2022, the Liberian President George Weah suspended three officials Tuesday after the U.S. government announced sanctions on them for public corruption. The officials include the president’s chief of staff, the country’s chief prosecutor, and the managing director of Liberia’s National Port Authority.
The suspensions were made less than 24 hours after the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on three senior Liberian officials for alleged corruption.
Nathaniel McGill, Liberia’s minister of state and the president’s chief of staff, is accused of a variety of corruption schemes, including directing warlords to threaten political rivals, bribery, and the misappropriation of state assets.
Sayma Cephus, Liberia’s solicitor general and chief prosecutor, is accused of shielding suspected criminals, blocking investigations into government corruption and interfering with evidence to ensure the conviction of political rivals. Bill Twehway, managing director of Liberia’s National Port Authority, is accused of funneling money from the port into private accounts.
Comments are closed.