Liberia’s Justice Minister Steps Aside In Oil Probe

Liberia’s justice minister on Wednesday announced he would step
aside from a probe into a contested oil deal, as he used to be head
of the country’s national oil company.

Frank Musa Dean had been appointed to head the probe just six
days earlier by Liberia’s newly-elected president, George Weah, who
has vowed to crack down on corruption.

In a statement, Dean said he had decided to step aside from the
probe — initiated by an undercover investigation by the NGO Global
Witness — in the interests of transparency.

“The decision to recuse myself is based on the fact that I
served as President and Chief Executive Officer of NOCAL [the
National Oil Company of Liberia] between 2004 and January 2006,” he
said.

The controversy stems from a deal in 2013, when the US oil major
Exxon Mobil paid $68.5 million (55.73 million euros) for a licence
to exploit a Liberian oilfield called Block 13.

It bought Block 13 from a company called Broadway
Consolidated/Peppercoast (BCP), which had initially been awarded
the licence from NOCAL in 2005.

In a report released on March 29, Global Witness said it had
evidence that in 2005 BCP was part-owned at the time by Liberia’s
minister for mining and a deputy minister — a breach of Liberian
law.

Corporate documents, it said, show “Exxon knew that Block 13 was
originally awarded through bribery and that its purchase of the oil
block could enrich former officials who might have been behind
BCP.”

Global Witness’ report also said “bonuses” of $35,000 were made
to senior Liberian officials after Exxon acquired Block 13.

President Weah had immediately ordered a probe into the scandal
and named Dean as lead investigator.

But Global Witness on Monday said his appointment was “a clear
conflict of interest.”

“President Weah has promised Liberians that he will tackle
Liberia’s endemic corruption. This is his first major test in
office to see if he will make good on that promise,” said
campaigner Jonathan Gant.

“Calling for this investigation is a good start. Now the
president should ensure it is independent and fair -– and it cannot
be as long as it is led by Justice Minister Dean.”

AFP

Liberia’s justice minister on Wednesday announced he would step
aside from a probe into a contested oil deal, as he used to be head
of the country’s national oil company.

Frank Musa Dean had been appointed to head the probe just six
days earlier by Liberia’s newly-elected president, George Weah, who
has vowed to crack down on corruption.

In a statement, Dean said he had decided to step aside from the
probe — initiated by an undercover investigation by the NGO Global
Witness — in the interests of transparency.

“The decision to recuse myself is based on the fact that I
served as President and Chief Executive Officer of NOCAL [the
National Oil Company of Liberia] between 2004 and January 2006,” he
said.

The controversy stems from a deal in 2013, when the US oil major
Exxon Mobil paid $68.5 million (55.73 million euros) for a licence
to exploit a Liberian oilfield called Block 13.

It bought Block 13 from a company called Broadway
Consolidated/Peppercoast (BCP), which had initially been awarded
the licence from NOCAL in 2005.

In a report released on March 29, Global Witness said it had
evidence that in 2005 BCP was part-owned at the time by Liberia’s
minister for mining and a deputy minister — a breach of Liberian
law.

Corporate documents, it said, show “Exxon knew that Block 13 was
originally awarded through bribery and that its purchase of the oil
block could enrich former officials who might have been behind
BCP.”

Global Witness’ report also said “bonuses” of $35,000 were made
to senior Liberian officials after Exxon acquired Block 13.

President Weah had immediately ordered a probe into the scandal
and named Dean as lead investigator.

But Global Witness on Monday said his appointment was “a clear
conflict of interest.”

“President Weah has promised Liberians that he will tackle
Liberia’s endemic corruption. This is his first major test in
office to see if he will make good on that promise,” said
campaigner Jonathan Gant.

“Calling for this investigation is a good start. Now the
president should ensure it is independent and fair -– and it cannot
be as long as it is led by Justice Minister Dean.”

AFP