The Office of the Ombudsman has imposed a US$1,000 fine each on Labor Minister Cllr. Cooper Kruah, Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) Managing Director Amos B. Tweh, National Port Authority (NPA) Board Chair J. Luther Tarpeh, and 17 other government officials for repeatedly failing to appear at hearings investigating alleged violations of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials.
The Ombudsman’s office, led by Chairman Prof. Finley Y. Kamgar, deemed their absence unacceptable, imposing fines as a disciplinary measure. The officials have now been resummoned to appear on April 9, 2025, at 10 AM, with a stern warning to comply or face further consequences.
The officials, represented by Henry’s Law Firm, had requested multiple postponements, citing the need to prepare their defense. However, after securing extensions on February 19 and February 24, they failed to show up without prior notice, prompting the Ombudsman’s sanctions.
Full List of Fined Officials:
- Cllr. Cooper Kruah – Minister of Labor
- Mr. Amos B. Tweh – Managing Director, Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC)
- Mr. J. Luther Tarpeh – Board Chair, National Port Authority (NPA)
- Ms. Lucia Massalee Yallah
- Mr. Emmanuel Zorh, Jr.
- Atty. Cornelia Kruah-Togba
- Mr. Whroway Bryant
- Mr. Emmanuel K. Farr
- Ambassador Sheikh Al-Moustapha Kouyateh
- Mr. Ben A. Fofana
- Ms. Patience Randall
- Mr. Edmund Forh
- Ms. Selena P. Mappy
- Mr. Melvin Cephus
- Ms. Lucia Tarpeh
- Mr. Robert Bestman
- Mr. James Yolei
- Mr. Collins Tamba
- Mr. Kansualism B. Kansuah
- Cllr. Kuku Y. Dorbor
In its statement, the Ombudsman’s office admonished all public officials to uphold ethical standards in their duties and public conduct, stressing that the Code of Conduct is not optional.
This move has sparked mixed reactions, with some commending the Ombudsman for enforcing accountability, while others question whether the fines will be enough to deter future violations.
The Ombudsman has resummoned all officials to appear before its office on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 10 AM, warning that further absence could result in additional penalties.
