Monrovia, Liberia – Alleging fraudulent wealth accumulation during Amin Modad’s brief stint in office, Senator Nathaniel F. McGill of Margibi County has leveled grave charges against Liberia’s Minister of Commerce. Former Minister of State Senator McGill, under former President George Weah, says Modad misused his position for personal benefit and is advocating a formal inquiry by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
Senator McGill in a statement noted that, he will send a communication requesting quick action to the Senate Plenary on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. He charged Modad of not paying a $400,000 debt while serving on the board of the old First International Bank (now SIB), which McGill says helped the bank to go bankrupt.
He also questioned Modad’s purchase of a luxury yacht, which McGill likened in cost to the yacht once possessed by former President William Tubman. The Margibi County Senator also pointed out that Modad bought a car unlawfully with the influence of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA). The Senator claimed that the LRA, as a revenue collecting body, had no authority to buy cars for government officials.
Minister Modad answered with a fiercely worded denial of the allegations, shifting the focus on McGill’s own controversial past including his presence on a U.S. sanctions list for purported corruption and human rights breaches.
Minister Modad, however, insisted that the vehicle in issue was bought for the Ministry of Commerce, with payments made straight to the seller and no money flowing via his ministry or personal accounts, therefore rejecting any personal wrongdoing.
Minister Modad said the car was not custom-made and most definitely not bought for $150,000 as has been wrongly reported. Since he took office eight months ago, he said he has been utilizing his personal vehicles including an S-Class Mercedes covering driver’s wages and gasoline expenses.
The minister declared his integrity is intact and his dedication is constant. For more than 25 years, Minister Modad claimed, he was a successful entrepreneur. Before he became a Minister, he said, public records of his boats, a lovely house, and fancy cars “decades” exist. He said that, as stated on April 11, 2024, his assets consist of a boat (not a yacht as is being subtly spread).
