What’s Behind the NEC HQ Closure -Who Are the Hidden Hands Involved?

MONROVIA – The nation woke up to the shocking news on last Tuesday when the Commercial Court ordered the seizure and sale of properties of the National Elections Commission (NEC) over an unpaid debt of US$171,000 allegedly owed to M-Tosh Print Incorporated. Interestingly, what this paper has reliably gathered is that this seizure and sale order predates the administration of the current NEC Cairperson Davidetta Brown-Lansanna who had not even dream of becoming head of NEC when the electoral house in 2018 signed a contract with M-Tosh Print Incorporated to procure, supply, and deliver pre-packed election materials for the Sinoe County Senatorial and Montserrado County District #13 Representative By-Elections.

According to reliable sources within government circle, the original contract valued at US $589,060.00, was approved by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and attested by the Ministry of Justice.

But just days before delivery, M-Tosh informed NEC that the cost of the chartered flight had unexpectedly increased by US $150,000. The company warned that it would not proceed with delivery unless the NEC agreed to cover the additional cost. Despite this, NEC instructed M-Tosh to deliver the materials, which it did.

Later in 2018, the NEC wrote to the MFDP regarding the US $150,000, and while an allotment was issued, the funds were never disbursed.

Earlier this year, M-Tosh filed a lawsuit in the Commercial Court seeking payment of the outstanding amount.

The contract between NEC and M-Tosh clearly stated in Article 12 that it constituted the entire agreement, with no other verbal or written terms beyond what was explicitly stated. Article 4 set the total contract value at US$589,060 broken down into US$289,060 for goods and US$300,000 for air transport via chartered flight.

The NEC has maintained that it should not be liable for the additional US$150,000, arguing that M-Tosh was already contractually obligated to deliver the materials under the original terms.

However, the court found that the debt had effectively been acknowledged by government authorities back in 2018.

Sinister Hands behind “Seizure and Sale” Order?

In the wake of the current NEC legal debacle, informed observers are of the opinion that there are ulterior motives orchestrated by “big hands” in government that are specifically targeting the current NEC boss who was not in command when the contract with M-Tosh was executed.

According to sources, there was a plan afoot to disgrace the NEC boss because even before the arrival of the sheriff at the NEC Headquarter on 9^th Street SInkor, journalists had swarmed the location in anticipation of that was about to show down.

“Rumors are already circulating that plans are afoot for M. Tosh to sue NEC for another US$1 million that the Commission allegedly still owes M-Tosh, and there are some big names behind this whole thing.

“Davidetta Brown was not even dreaming of becoming Chairperson of NEC when this contract with M- Tosh was signed. It was under the tenure of Cllr. Jerome Kokoyah,” a source confidently disclosed.

Interestingly, NEC Chairperson Brown-Lansanah, who was appointed on April 10, 2020 by President George Manneh Weah, is expected to turn over her gavel of authority in 2027, two years to the 2029 presidential and general elections, thus ending her seven years tenure in accordance with law.

Under her watch, Liberia held series of highly acclaimed by-elections, as well the landmark 2023 presidential and general elections that brought former Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and his Unity Party to power.

Some high-ranking Unity Party stalwarts are allegedly billed to replace Madam Lansanah. Top among the list is the current Board Chairperson of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), Cllr. Gloria Musue Scott.