Monrovia, Liberia – The Office of the Ombudsman has imposed a fine of One Thousand United States Dollars ($1,000) each on several high-ranking government officials, including Labor Minister Cllr. Cooper Kruah and the Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), Amos Tweh. The decision comes in response to alleged breaches of Part Five of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials.
According to a statement released by the Ombudsman, the officials were found to have violated ethical standards outlined in the Code of Conduct, which governs the behavior and obligations of all public officials in Liberia. Although the specific nature of the violations has not been publicly disclosed, Part Five of the Code generally addresses issues surrounding political participation and the conduct of officials seeking elected or appointed positions.
The penalties signal a renewed commitment by the Ombudsman to uphold integrity and accountability within the public sector. The sanctioned officials have been given a limited period to pay the fines, failure of which may lead to further administrative action, including potential suspension or referral for prosecution.
This move has stirred public reaction, with civil society groups and transparency advocates welcoming the fines as a step toward enforcing ethical standards in government. However, some political commentators argue that more transparency is needed in detailing the specific infractions and the investigative process.
As of now, neither Minister Kruah nor MD Tweh has made a public statement regarding the fines. The Office of the Ombudsman maintains that its actions are in accordance with the law and meant to deter future misconduct among public servants.
The Code of Conduct was established to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in Liberia’s public service. Enforcement of its provisions, many argue, is essential for restoring public trust in government institutions.
