The Grand Jury of Montserrado County has indicted several present and past high profile government officials for alleged economic sabotage. Economic sabotage under the Liberian laws is a felony of the first degree.

 According to the indictment, the accused criminally colluded and defrauded the government of Liberia of US$120,400.

Some of those named in the indictment unsealed by the grand jury include former Education Minister Dr. Evelyn Kandakai, Grand Kru County Senator Albert Chie, and former President and CEO of the National Oil Company of Liberia, Dr. Foday Kromah.
Others are Mr. Clemenceau Urey, former Chairperson of NOCAL and Cllr. Stephen Dunbar.

The officials are accused of allegedly soliciting or receiving bribes when the National 52nd Legislature sought to ratify contracts entered into between the National Oil Company of Liberia and foreign firms.   
But none of those wanted for prosecution could be seen on Wednesday as bailiffs of Criminal Court ‘C’ at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia roamed the city in order to serve them writ of arrest issued by the court.

The indictment against the officials comes at the time Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is visiting the United States and she is expected to meet with U.S. President Barrack Obama.

Critics say the indictment is politically motivated.

 But Acting Information Minister Isaac Jackson has rubbished the criticisms, pointing out that the move by the government to indict the officials is part of the administration’s promise to fight corruption.

He told newsmen in Monrovia Wednesday at a press briefing that processes leading to the release of the indictment were initiated long ago before President’s trip to the U.S. Therefore, he said, the indictment is not political motivated contrary to arguments by critics.

The government spokesman instead argued that Liberians should applaud the government for its stance against the social menace blamed as the major reason for the underdevelopment of the country.