Monrovia – Former Commerce Minister Amin Modad has called on Liberians to exercise greater caution when consuming and responding to allegations against public officials, arguing that accusations should not automatically be treated as facts without evidence, due process and independent verification.
Modad made the call in a detailed statement reflecting on controversies that surrounded his tenure at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He said while public officials must be held to high standards of accountability, the public should also demand credible evidence, examine the facts and give accused individuals an opportunity to respond before reaching conclusions.
He further urged Liberians to allow formal investigations and legal processes to determine the truth, particularly in cases involving serious allegations that could damage reputations, careers and families.
Modad said his own experience demonstrated the consequences of accepting allegations before they had been properly investigated. He recalled that he was condemned publicly and eventually resigned from government amid allegations concerning his assets, financial dealings and the use of government resources.
One of the claims, he said, was that he had personally received a luxury vehicle from the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA).
Modad rejected the allegation, saying records from the LRA showed that the vehicle had been purchased for the Ministry of Commerce under a support arrangement that had also been extended to other government institutions.
He said the transaction was supported by documentation, including communications, quotations and invoices, which showed that the LRA dealt directly with the vendor. According to Modad, neither he personally nor the Ministry was involved in purchasing the vehicle.
He also disputed claims that the vehicle was a $150,000 luxury and bulletproof automobile.
Modad said the vehicle cost approximately $88,000 before taxes and was selected primarily because of its suitability for rough roads in rural Liberia. He said the Ministry intended to use it as part of efforts to reach smallholder farmers and businesses outside Monrovia.
He further noted that he did not depend on a government vehicle during his tenure, saying he used his personal vehicle throughout his service and had also made his vehicles available to the government when visiting presidents and other dignitaries required transportation.
Modad also rejected an allegation that he purchased a $300,000 yacht and evaded customs duties.
He said the vessel was actually a 26-foot boat valued at approximately $86,000 and that he personally paid more than $16,000 in duties and taxes.
According to him, documents also showed that the boat had been ordered before he became Commerce Minister.
Another allegation he strongly disputed involved a loan associated with Bella Casa Hotel.
Modad said claims that he paid off a loan of approximately $1.45 million within six months of becoming minister were false.
He said his financial records and assets were reviewed by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) before and after his resignation.
According to Modad, he declared an approximately $1.45 million loan with International Bank Liberia Limited when he assumed office. He said that after his resignation, the loan remained outstanding at approximately $1.39 million.
He also pointed to a Senate hearing and the LACC’s examination of his financial records, arguing that both processes ultimately cleared him of the allegations.
Modad said, however, that by the time those processes were conducted, the damage had already been done.
He explained that he chose to resign to protect his reputation and family, reduce the controversy surrounding the government and allow investigative processes to proceed without his continued presence becoming a distraction.
He acknowledged that his departure also had consequences for the government and the Ministry of Commerce, which he said he had been working to improve.
Reflecting on the experience, Modad urged Liberians to avoid what he described as the premature conviction of individuals in the court of public opinion.
He said allegations should be tested against documentary evidence, accused persons should be given an opportunity to respond, and independent investigations should be allowed to establish the facts.
Modad warned that treating accusations as established truth before they are properly investigated can destroy reputations, careers, families and institutions.
