Ex-minister charged for theft
2006-12-05 08:26
Monrovia - Liberia has charged a former finance minister and other officials with "theft of government property" in a probe into the alleged theft of millions from the coffers of an interim government.
Affidavits named the charge against former finance minister Lusinee Kamara and other officials.
Officials at the West African country's justice ministry said Kamara was arrested on Friday over matters relating to the financial records of the interim government he served from October 2003 until January 2006.
He was released on bail and was scheduled to appear before a court on Monday, but had not appeared by evening. Kamara confirmed the charge, but said it was not explained.
Officials 'misappropriated $9m+'
His deputy, Tugbeh Doe, was also charged and was jailed on Monday pending trial.
The police charge sheet against Doe alleged that he and other officials misappropriated more than $9m for personal use while they were in power.
Both served in a transitional government that oversaw Liberia's two-year transition from war to democratic rule. It was replaced after President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf took power in January.
A regional committee ran an audit of the interim government earlier this year, concluding that the government never accounted for money from the sale of iron ore, timber and other sources.
Police spokesperson Alvin Jask said the interim minister of commerce, Samuel Wlue, had also been arrested and was at the police station in connection with the alleged misappropriation of funds.
- AP