MONROVIA, Montserrado – Following a visit to the United Kingdom and the United States, Fonati Koffa has said there would likely be an increase in the charges on three individuals who were already indicted in the ongoing investigation related to the Global Witness report.

Koffa, the chair of the special presidential taskforce set up to investigate the bribery scandal, did not specify the names of the individuals.

The task force members’ visit to the two countries was for the purpose of signing a mutual legal assistance agreement between the three countries to prosecute former and current government officials mentioned in the report.

“The task force highly appreciates the efforts and encouragements of the British and America governments in an effort to have those individuals allegedly mentioned in the Global Witness Report being prosecuted,” Koffa said.

According to him, the task force has put together a team of Swiss, U.S. and Liberian lawyers that will craft a framework for the recovery of stolen assets from individuals named in the report not found in Liberia.

He added that the taskforce will initiate the first action either in the form of lawsuits or other requests by September 2016.

Koffa explained that the work done in London, in particular by the chief prosecutor J. Daku Mulbah, was invaluable, noting that “the country and government will shortly hear how intense, qualitative and vibrant the work was in Great Britain and America.”

He maintained that as the task force concludes on the case in court, he is confident that a jury will return a verdict of guilty. Koffa said that the task force now has two witnesses who are willing to testify against the indictees in court, provided that their protection is assured.

“Liberia is proud to be on the frontline of this international effort in fighting corruption and is proud to be the one taking the lead,” he said.

He added that the task force has up to date spent US$ 91,000 in operations.

Koffa also said Global Witness had been cooperative in the investigative process.

Feature photo by Zeze Ballah