MONROVIA, LIBERIA: Thirteen defendants are expected to face trial beginning Monday, August 17, 2026, before Criminal Court “C” in Montserrado County in connection with the alleged misappropriation of rice donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Government of Liberia for disaster victims.
Those proceeding to trial are Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Varney A. Sirleaf, former Minister of Internal Affairs; Thelma Sawyer, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Administration; Augustine Kollie, Director for Disaster Victims at the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA); Henry O. Williams, former Executive Director of NDMA; Edward S. Konneh, NDMA employee; Archievego M. Doe, NDMA Communications Director; Edris Bility, former Deputy Director for Operations at the General Services Agency (GSA); Mamie Davies, Assistant Director at GSA; Momolu Johnson, former Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs for Administration; Rosetta L. Gbassay Bowah, Logistics Officer at NDMA; Wayfa Ciapha, purported CEO of Group of Seventy-Seven; and Evelyn Gbee, Warehouse Manager.
The case stems from the donation of 29,412 bags of 25kg rice, valued at US$500,000, by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Government of Liberia in April 2023. The rice was intended for distribution to disaster-affected communities and victims across Liberia and was placed in warehouses under the management of relevant government institutions.
Following an investigation by the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT), the defendants were indicted in 2025 in connection with the handling and distribution of the donated rice. The indictment alleges that 25,054 bags, valued at US$425,918, were stolen, misapplied or otherwise improperly distributed, depriving disaster victims and the Government of Liberia of the intended benefit of the donation.
The defendants face charges including Theft of Property, Economic Sabotage involving the Misuse of Public Money, Property or Records and Theft and/or Illegal Disbursement and Expenditure of Public Money, Misapplication of Entrusted Property, Abuse of Office, and Criminal Conspiracy.
The commencement of trial represents an important stage in the judicial process. Following pretrial proceedings and discovery, Criminal Court “C” ruled on August 11, 2026, that the matter should proceed to trial and scheduled proceedings to begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, August 17, 2026.
For AREPT, the trial is significant because asset recovery extends beyond investigation and indictment. The judicial process provides the opportunity for evidence gathered during investigations to be presented and tested before a court, for criminal responsibility to be determined, and for appropriate legal measures toward restitution and recovery of public assets to follow where warranted.
AREPT remains committed to working with the Ministry of Justice to pursue cases arising from its investigations through the courts while respecting due process, the rights of defendants, and the independence of the Judiciary.
The Taskforce will continue to keep the public informed of significant developments in the case consistent with the law and the integrity of the ongoing judicial process.