Bility Raises Alarm over Senate Audit-Warns against Justice Ministry Interference

MONROVIA – A new statement by lawmaker Musa Hassan Bility has intensified debate over accountability within Liberia’s Legislature and the role of the Ministry of Justice in ongoing audit-related investigations. Bility warns that withdrawal of a subpoena connected to the General Auditing Commission’s Senate audit raises serious constitutional concerns about separation of powers and potential interference with judicial processes. His comments highlight broader tensions surrounding transparency, public financial management, and the credibility of anti-corruption efforts. As Liberia continues to confront institutional reform challenges, the controversy underscores the delicate balance between executive authority and independent investigations into public spending. THE ANALYST reports.

Representative Musa Hassan Bility has issued a strongly worded statement warning of what he described as a constitutional red line surrounding the General Auditing Commission’s audit of the Liberian Senate and the Ministry of Justice’s alleged withdrawal of a subpoena connected to the investigation.

In a public statement titled “The Constitutional Red Line Developing Around the Senate Audit and the Justice Minister’s Interference,” Bility said accountability must begin within the Legislature itself if Liberia is to credibly fight corruption.

Bility wrote:

“When I entered the Capitol Building in January 2024, the very first action I brought to the House’s floor was a call for an audit of the Legislature. Not once. Not casually. Not symbolically. I called for it repeatedly and in writing, because accountability must begin at home. If we demand transparency from ministries and agencies, then the Legislature must not be exempt. If we speak about corruption in the abstract, then we must be prepared to confront it within our own institution.”

He noted that in 2024, the General Auditing Commission (GAC), acting pursuant to Article 89 of the Constitution and the GAC Act of 2014, began a compliance and financial audit of the Liberian Senate covering 2018–2023.

According to Bility, the audit identified serious financial management irregularities including unsupported expenditures, payments without proper procurement procedures, unreconciled disbursements, weak internal controls, and failure to fully account for public funds entrusted to the Senate Secretariat.

“These were not allegations made in a political debate. They were official audit conclusions issued by the GAC…the constitutionally mandated auditing authority of the Republic,” Bility emphasized.

Subpoena and Withdrawal Concerns

Bility said the Ministry of Justice initially retained a private prosecutor to review the audit findings and seek further evidence.

According to him, the prosecutor obtained a subpoena duces tecum from Criminal Court “A” compelling the Senate Secretary to produce financial records related to the audit.

“This was not persecution. This was not politics. This was the RULE OF LAW in motion,” Bility wrote.

However, he said the Ministry of Justice later authorized withdrawal of the subpoena.

“This action by the Ministry demands national attention. When a subpoena, grounded in audit findings and judicial approval, is withdrawn by the Executive branch, the implications are grave,” he stated.

Constitutional Arguments

Bility argued that the withdrawal raises concerns about separation of powers under the Constitution.

“The Constitution of the Republic of Liberia does not create islands of immunity. It does not authorize selective enforcement,” he wrote, adding that public funds belong to the Liberian people and must be accounted for.

He stressed that Article 3 of the Constitution establishes separate branches of government to prevent interference in lawful processes.

“A subpoena is not a conviction. It is not an accusation. It is a request for documents to ascertain the truth,” he added.

He warned that withdrawal of a judicially issued subpoena could signal possible obstruction and threaten financial accountability systems.

Call to President Boakai

In his statement, Bility appealed directly to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, calling the issue a defining moment of leadership.

“You were elected on the promise of reform and integrity. The Liberian people did not vote for selective accountability,” Bility wrote.

He urged that investigations should proceed regardless of political implications and that similar scrutiny should apply to the House of Representatives if necessary.

“There should be no sacred cows. No protected offices. No selective justice,” he emphasized.

The controversy surrounding the Senate audit and subpoena withdrawal has raised wider questions about transparency, executive authority, and judicial independence in Liberia’s fight against corruption.

Analysts say the issue underscores the importance of strong institutions capable of investigating public financial management without political interference, while ensuring due process and constitutional protections.

Bility’s statement adds to growing public debate about accountability within Liberia’s government and the credibility of anti-corruption reforms.