Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) on Wednesday, initiative an investigation into the former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Nathaniel McGill alleged corruption scandal. The former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs now Senator of Margibi County was invited to answer on allegations of payroll padding and acts of corruption at the Ministry of States during his administration.
The LACC declared in a letter to Senator McGill that it has opened an inquiry into claims of corruption and payroll padding concerning salary disbursements for an additional payroll with 728 names at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs. According to reports, this payroll was made outside of the Civil Service Agency’s (CSA) guidelines at McGill’s request while he served as the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs.
According to the LACC, the 728-name supplemental payroll was created on McGill’s orders and was riddled with anomalies that amounted to improper payroll administration practices. In the midst of accusations of payroll padding and suspected corruption involving salary payment, Senator McGill made an appearance for interrogation on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission offices.
A large contingent of supporters, primarily from the opposition Congress of Democratic Change (CDC), led by its Youth Chairman, Alvin Wesseh, attended McGill’s visit at the LACC on Wednesday morning, August 21, 2024. According to Wesseh, they were there to support Senator McGill, whom they believe to be an exceptional member of the CDC. Mr. Wesseh called the government’s decision to invite McGill for interrogation regarding allegations of salary padding a “witch hunt.”
He stated that in light of McGill’s protests over the $20 million the lawmaker found in the national budget without legislative consent, he believes the government’s action is a diversionary ploy. Among the crowd of supporters that arrived at the LACC door to show support for McGill, the former chairman of their party, Reports231 Media Network also saw some discharged Executive Protection Officers.
The attorneys leading the Margibi Senator’s delegation included Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus, who, like McGill, had been blacklisted by the US government for alleged corruption in Liberia. But Cephus told the press that he accompanied Senator McGill to the closed-door investigation.
Cllr. Cephus stated that there is no case against Senator McGill, but he did not reveal any details of his conversation to the public. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive probe into claims of corruption, but added that McGill will not object to any inquiry until an indictment is made.
