No Evidence To Link To Wrongdoing -Police Exonerates E-Mansion Projects Head, Others Canned

All hell nearly broke loose in the country months ago when it was reported that officials of a South African company which had come to Liberia exploring business opportunities were subjected to bribery and humiliation and that senior staff of the Special Presidential Project Department at the Executive Mansion were the culprits. The report was characterized by conspiracy theories linking top officials of the Weah government in the alleged bribery scandal. The President however suspected the head of the Department amid public debate over the issue. Months after an intensive investigation, the police have produced a report of their findings which find no trace of evidence to link the suspended head of the Special Presidential Project Department to the act as alleged and speculated. But as The Analyst reports, there were other actors that the investigation is holding culpable and forwarding to court for prosecution.

Madam Makenneh L. Keita and others of the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs who were suspected as having sought a bribe of US$5 million from a potential concessionaire to invest in the country are purged of all wrongdoing and criminal acts. Two persons are however held culpable.

The Liberia National Police in a report derived from its months of investigation has noted that suspects Makenneh L. Keita, Christian G. Herbert, Jr. and Mamudu Keita of the Special Presidential Projects Department were exonerated from criminal charges due to lack of evidence to link them to the commission of the crimes Bribery, Criminal Solicitation and Impersonating Officials.

However, according to the report, Madam Makenneh L. Keita was turned over to the Ministry of State to take administrative action to deter her from doing business outside her line of assigned duty; and to also deter others who would like to follow suit.

The LNP also exonerated suspects Morris M. Wonboh and Harris D. Carto of Canon Group of Companies were also exonerated from criminal charges due to lack of evidence to link them to the commission of the crime.

Meanwhile, the Police investigation rules that “suspect Lawrence J. Saydee of Canon Group of Companies and suspect Amos Diggs Togba of the Ministry of State were charged with Bribery in violation of Section 12. 50, Criminal Attempt in violation of Section 10.1, Criminal Solicitation in violation of Section 10.3, and Criminal Conspiracy in violation of Section 10.4 of the Revised Penal Law of Liberia pending court trial.”

It can be recalled that on August 23, 2021, the Coordinator of Special Presidential Projects Department (SPPD) the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs (MOS), Madam Makenneh L Keita, was suspended by the President of Liberia, H.E. George M. Weah, and turned over to the Liberia National Police (LNP) for investigation reference her alleged involvement in the solicitation of US$5M bribe from officials of a South African company known as imperial Investment Limited (L) who came to explore investment opportunities in Liberia.

The Police said in a report that in keeping with its mandate from the Minister of Justice, set up an investigative team to investigate the allegation.

“The team invited Madam Makenneh L Keita and other persons of interest. Written statements w”ere obtained from all suspects and alleged victims. Written statement was also obtained from Mr. Mark Anthony Brummer representing Imperial Investment Limited through WhatsApp,” the report stated.

According to the report, in a WhatsApp exchange, Mr. Mark Anthony Brummer informed the investigation that he and his colleague (Mr. Dirksen Gerhard Jacobus) arrived in Liberia on August 10, 2021 in response to an invitation received from Madam Makenneh L. Keita through Canon Group of Companies to explore investment opportunity.

They were well received and introduced to a lady referred by Lawrence J. Saydee as “the Minister of Special Projects” along with other “stakeholders”. According to Mr. Brummer, he and his colleague became disappointed when Madam Makenneh L Keita told them that they had to depart the country with immediate effect as Immigration officials had not granted them a visa despite the invitation letter stating clearly “Visa Upon Arrival”.

He further told the Police that after they went to their accommodation, Dr. Lawrence J. Saydee and Mr. Amos Diggs Togba visited them at the hotel where an informal meeting was held and in said meeting Lawrence and Amos informed them that in order for Imperial Investment Limited to sign any contract with the Minister, they would be required to put Five Million United States Dollars (US$SM) intoa bank account to prove beyond doubt imperial Investment Limited’s ability to invest in Liberia and to secure them any contract.

 Investigative Finding

The Police reported that it found out that Mr. Mark Anthony Brummer is the Chief Executive Officer and a holder of passport # AO6119569 and Mr. Dirksen Gerhard Jacobus holder of passport number A043002227 are Executives of Imperial Investment Limited a South African Company based in South Africa, and that on August 2, 2021, the Special Presidential Projects Department through its Coordinator, Madam Makenneh L Keita, extended a written invite to Mr. Brummer and Mr. Jacobus.

The invitation, the Police report said, was premised on Visa upon Arrival with a term of 30 days stay in Liberia and that though they were invited on August 2, 2021, Mr. Mark Anthony Brummer once led a team to Liberia on behalf of Imperial Investment Limited where they met with Mr. Garblah Williams, suspect Lawrence. Saydee and others to be identified for the purpose of said South African company exploring investment in Liberia;

The report further noted that though the two officials of Imperial investment Limited as named in this report were invited to Liberia for which they arrived on August 10, 2021, but during a meeting held on August 12, 2021, Makenneh L. Keita asked that they leave Liberia with immediate effect on ground that she was not aware that they once visited Liberia and held discussion with some personalities for the same purpose on investment into the Liberian economy.

According to the report, after the meeting held on August 12, 2021, suspect Lawrence J. Saydee, Founder and CEO of Canon Group of Companies Int’l Inc. and Amos Dig8s Togba, Business Manager, Special Presidential Project Department, during the evening hours on the same date (August 12, 2021) visited the Boulevard Palace Hotel where they met with the two executives of imperial investment limited and requested them to deposit an amount of US$SM into a bank account so as to prove the company’s ability to invest into the Liberian economy and to secure them any contract.

The Police says the request for the US$SM bribe was done in the absence of Madam Makenneh L. Keita, and more besides, since the meeting that was held the in office of Canon Group of Companies during the morning hours of August 12, 2021, Madam Makenneh L. Keita never met with the two Executives of Imperial Investment Limited up to their departure from Liberia as evidenced by the testimony of Mr. Mark Anthony Brummer;

The Police further stated in its report: “The assertion made by suspect Lawrence J. Saydee during Police investigation insinuating that it was suspect Makenneh L. Keita who asked for US$SM during the meeting held the office of Canon Group of Companies situated at Sinkor, Monrovia testified to the fact that bribe was solicited. The allegation made against Madam Makenneh L. Keita by suspect Lawrence J. Syadee is unfounded and has no iota of truth; as Mr. Brummer confirmed where the bribe was requested and names of persons who requested the bribe.”

The Police reported that its investigation did not establish the connection of any Government official behind the invitation extended to the two officials of Imperial Investment Limited dated August 2, 2021, except that of Madam Makenneh L Keita, and that the investigation has not established any ulterior motive on the part of Madam Makenneh L. Keita for inviting the two Executives of Imperial Investment Limited to Liberia except for investment exploration.

“There is no position as Minister of Specials existing at the Ministry of State, Republic of Liberia. More so, the invitation letter written to Imperial Investment dated August 2, 2021 was a clear evidence of Makenneh L. Keita’s position at the Ministry of State,” said the Police investigative report, which added that Madam Makenneh L. Keita was not authorized to extend invitation on behalf of the Ministry of State to any investor/s to do business with the Liberian Government.

Based on its findings, Police investigation was concluded as that suspects Makenneh L. Keita, Christian G. Herbert, Jr. and Mamudu Keita of the Special Presidential Projects Department were exonerated from criminal charges due to lack of evidence to link them to the commission of the crimes Bribery, Criminal Solicitation and Impersonating Officials.

“That, Madam Makenneh L. Keita was turned over to the Ministry of State to take administrative action to deter her from doing business outside her line of assigned duty; and to also deter others who would like to follow suit,” asserted the report.

“Suspects Morris M. Wonboh and Harris D. Carto of Canon Group of Companies were also exonerated from criminal charges due to lack of evidence to link them to the commission of the crime; and that suspect Lawrence J. Saydee of Canon Group of Companies and suspect Amos Diggs Togba of the Ministry of State were charged with Bribery in violation of Section 12. 50, Criminal Attempt in violation of Section 10.1, Criminal Solicitation in violation of Section 10.3, and Criminal Conspiracy in violation of Section 10.4 of the Revised Penal Law of Liberia pending court trial.” See page below for Summary of Investigative Report into an Allegation of Bribery, Criminal Solicitation and impersonation involving Madam Makenneh L. Keita and others of the Ministry of State.

Summary of Investigative Report into an Allegation of Bribery, Criminal Solicitation and impersonation involving Madam Makenneh L. Keita and Some Staffers of the Ministry of State and Canon Group of Companies

Background

On August 23, 2021, the Coordinator of Special Presidential Projects Department (SPPD) the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs (MOS), Madam Makenneh L Keita, was suspended by the President of Liberia, H.E. George M. Weah, and turned over to the Liberia National Police (LNP) for investigation reference her alleged involvement in the solicitation of Five Milion United Dollars (US$5M) bribe from officials of a South African company known as imperial Investment Limited (L) who came to explore investment opportunities in Liberia.

Police Action

In keeping with its mandate, the Police following instruction from the Minister of Justice, set up an investigative team to investigate the allegation. The team invited Madam Makenneh L Keita and other persons of interest. Written statements were obtained from all suspects and alleged victims. Written statement was also obtained from Mr. Mark Anthony Brummer representing Imperial Investment Limited through WhatsApp.

Mr. Mark Anthony Brummer’s Complaint

In a WhatsApp exchange, Mr. Mark Anthony Brummer informed the investigation that he and his colleague (Mr. Dirksen Gerhard Jacobus) arrived in Liberia on August 10, 2021 in response to an invitation received from Madam Makenneh L. Keita through Canon Group of Companies to explore investment opportunity. They were well received and introduced to a lady referred by Lawrence J. Saydee as “the Minister of Special Projects” along with other “stakeholders”. According to Mr. Brummer, he and his colleague became disappointed when Madam Makenneh L Keita told them that they had to depart the country with immediate effect as Immigration officials had not granted them a visa despite the invitation letter stating clearly “Visa Upon Arrival”.

He furthered that after they went to their accommodation, Dr. Lawrence J. Saydee and Mr. Amos Diggs Togba visited them at the hotel where an informal meeting was held and in said meeting Lawrence and Amos informed them that in order for Imperial Investment Limited to sign any contract with the Minister, they would be required to put Five Million United States Dollars (US$SM) intoa bank account to prove beyond doubt imperial Investment Limited’s ability to invest in Liberia and to secure them any contract.

Investigative Findings

During the investigation, the following were established:

1. That, Mr. Mark Anthony Brummer is the Chief Executive Officer and a holder of passport # AO6119569 and Mr. Dirksen Gerhard Jacobus holder of passport number A043002227 are Executives of Imperial Investment Limited a South African Company based in South Africa;
2. That on August 2, 2021, the Special Presidential Projects Department through its Coordinator, Madam Makenneh L Keita, extended a written invite to Mr. Brummer and Mr. Jacobus;
3. That, the invitation was premised on Visa upon Arrival with a term of 30 days stay in Liberia;
4. That, though they were invited on August 2, 2021 but Mr. Mark Anthony Brummer once led a team to Liberia on behalf of Imperial Investment Limited where they met with Mr. Garblah Williams, suspect Lawrence. Saydee and others to be identified for the purpose of said South African company exploring investment in Liberia;
5. That, though the two officials of Imperial investment Limited as named in this report were invited to Liberia for which they arrived on August 10, 2021, but during a meeting held on August 12, 2021, Makenneh L. Keita asked that they leave Liberia with immediate effect on ground that she was not aware that they once visited Liberia and held discussion with some personalities for the same purpose on investment into the Liberian economy;
6. That, after the meeting held on August 12, 2021, suspect Lawrence J. Saydee, Founder and CEO of Canon Group of Companies Int’l Inc. and Amos Dig8s Togba, Business Manager, Special Presidential Project Department, during the evening hours on the same date (August 12, 2021) visited the Boulevard Palace Hotel where they met with the two executives of imperial investment limited and requested them to deposit an amount of US$SM into a bank account so as to prove the company’s ability to invest into the Liberian economy and to secure them any contract;
7. That, the request for the US$SM bribe was done in the absence of Madam Makenneh L. Keita, and more besides, since the meeting that was held the in office of anon Group of Companies during the morning hours of August 12, 2021, Madam Makenneh L. Keita never met with the two Executives of Imperial Investment Limited up to their departure from Liberia as evidenced by the testimony of Mr. Mark Anthony Brummer;
8. That, the assertion made by suspect Lawrence J. Saydee during Police investigation insinuating that it was suspect Makenneh L. Keita who asked for US$SM during the meeting held the office of Canon Group of Companies situated at Sinkor, Monrovia testified to the fact that bribe was solicited.
9. .That, the allegation made against Madam Makenneh L. Keita by suspect Lawrence J. Syadee is unfounded and has no iota of truth; as Mr. Brummer confirmed where the bribe was requested and names of persons who requested the bribe;
10. That, investigation did not establish the connection of any Government official behind the invitation extended to the two officials of Imperial Investment Limited dated August 2, 2021, except that of Madam Makenneh L Keita;
11. That, the investigation has not established any ulterior motive on the part of Madam Makenneh L. Keita for inviting the two Executives of Imperial Investment Limited to Liberia except for investment exploration;
12. That, there is no position as Minister of Specials existing at the Ministry of State, Republic of Liberia. More so, the invitation letter written to Imperial Investment dated August 2, 2021 was a clear evidence of Makenneh L. Keita’s position at the Ministry of State;
13. That, Madam Makenneh L. Keita was not authorized to extend invitation on behalf of the Ministry of State to any investor/s to do business with the Liberian Government.

Conclusion

Based on its findings, Police investigation was concluded as follow:

1. That, suspects Makenneh L. Keita, Christian G. Herbert, Jr. and Mamudu Keita of the Special Presidential Projects Department were exonerated from criminal charges due to lack of evidence to link them to the commission of the crimes Bribery, Criminal Solicitation and Impersonating Officials;
2. That, Madam Makenneh L. Keita was turned over to the Ministry of State to take administrative action to deter her from doing business outside her line of assigned duty; and to also deter others who would like to follow suit;
3. That, suspects Morris M. Wonboh and Harris D. Carto of Canon Group of Companies were also exonerated from criminal charges due to lack of evidence to link them to the commission of the crime; and
4. That, suspect Lawrence J. Saydee of Canon Group of Companies and suspect Amos Diggs Togba of the Ministry of State were charged with Bribery in violation of Section 12. 50, Criminal Attempt in violation of Section 10.1, Criminal Solicitation in violation of Section 10.3, and Criminal Conspiracy in violation of Section 10.4 of the Revised Penal Law of Liberia pending court trial.