By Vaye Abel Lepolu
Monrovia – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has intensified calls for government transparency regarding an alleged $10 million presidential villa project in Foya, Lofa County, and exposed concerns over nepotism involving Liberia’s Chief Justice.
At a press conference in Monrovia, CENTAL’s Executive Director Anderson Miamen questioned the secrecy shadowing the Foya project, noting its absence from Liberia’s 2024 and 2025 national budgets. “The Liberian people deserve answers: Is public money funding this project? If not, then who is financing it?” he challenged, urging immediate investigations by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the Asset Recovery Task Force to protect public funds.
CENTAL raised red flags over the project’s funding source, procurement transparency, and the choice of the president’s hometown as the location for such a costly development. On the issue of nepotism, CENTAL addressed the recent controversy surrounding Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay’s recommendation of his son, Willeyon Gbeisay, for appointment as Associate Magistrate of the Paynesville Magisterial Court.
Willeyon’s resignation from the nomination was welcomed by CENTAL as a positive step but did not excuse the Chief Justice’s role, which CENTAL considers a significant breach under Liberia’s Code of Conduct, which prohibits nepotism to uphold ethical governance.
Under Liberia’s Anti-Nepotism Laws, public officials are forbidden from using their influence to secure positions for family members. Sanctions include suspension, removal from office, or permanent disqualification from holding public office. Miamen emphasized, “Resignation alone cannot undo the offense, especially when the Chief Justice defended his actions publicly. The Legislature must enforce these provisions without exception.”
CENTAL also appealed to President Joseph N. Boakai to act decisively on his pledge to end “business as usual” within the government and to champion transparency and accountability as core principles of his administration.
