MONROVIA – Former General Services Agency Director-General Mary Broh has been removed from the Saudi Rice criminal case. Prosecutors withdrew their charges against her. Her exit narrows a prosecution that once grouped several former senior officials in a single proceeding. The case, built on allegations that donated humanitarian rice was diverted, now proceeds against the remaining defendants. Former Foreign Affairs Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah is among those still facing trial. A court cleared the matter to trial after resolving disputes over discovery documents and an amended indictment. The outcome tests how far Liberia’s accountability drive will reach into the handling of donated resources. Broh’s appearance bond is to be returned to her, as THE ANALYST reports.
Former General Services Agency (GSA) Director-General Mary Broh has been removed from the ongoing Saudi Rice criminal case after the prosecution withdrew its case against her. The development clears one of the high-profile former officials initially indicted over the handling of a humanitarian rice donation from Saudi Arabia.
While Broh has left the case, the prosecution is proceeding against former Foreign Affairs Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah and other former officials. The case has now been cleared for trial after the court resolved outstanding issues involving discovery documents and an amended indictment.
How the case started
The case stemmed from allegations over the handling of 29,412 bags of 25-kilogram rice donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Liberia in 2023. The rice was intended to assist communities affected by floods, fires and other disasters.
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) was responsible for the humanitarian response and became central to the investigation. Prosecutors alleged that about 25,054 bags, valued at some US$425,918 (about L$77.7 million), were unlawfully diverted or improperly handled.
The allegations prompted an investigation by the Government’s Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force. That inquiry led to the indictment of several former senior officials.
Those indicted
Among those initially indicted were Kemayah, Broh, former Internal Affairs Minister Varney A. Sirleaf and former Deputy Foreign Minister for Administration Thelma Sawyer. Others included former Deputy Internal Affairs Minister Momolu Johnson, former NDMA Executive Director Henry O. Williams and several additional officials.
The indictment charged the defendants with offenses including theft of property, economic sabotage and criminal conspiracy. Other counts covered the misuse and illegal disbursement of public funds, misapplication of entrusted property and abuse of office.
The arrests and indictment in June 2025 brought the case into the criminal justice system. The accused subsequently appeared before Criminal Court “C” to answer the allegations.
Broh removed from case
The prosecution has now dropped its case against Broh, removing her as a defendant. Criminal Court “C” Assigned Judge Ousman F. Feika confirmed the decision on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, by granting a nolle prosequi application.
The court held that the decision fell within the prosecution’s authority under Chapter 18, Section 18.1 of Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law. Judge Feika ordered the Clerk of Court to return Broh’s appearance bond, or its value where applicable, and formally removed her from the case.
Ninety exhibits presented
The prosecution’s case against the remaining defendants will proceed. During Tuesday’s chambers session, prosecutors presented up to 90 exhibits as part of discovery.
Defense lawyers raised concerns over documents they said were missing or illegible, including a prosecution exhibit containing a statement attributed to Broh. The court directed the prosecution to provide clearer copies of the disputed documents.
Defense counsel also raised concerns over the absence of the grand jury transcript, prompting Judge Feika to order its production. The court further ruled that an amended indictment form part of the record after finding it was properly obtained from the Montserrado County Grand Jury.
With no outstanding issues preventing the case from proceeding, Judge Feika ruled the matter to trial. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by a court of competent jurisdiction.