Africa-Press – Liberia. The Senate Joint Committee has warned IMCC officials of jail time amid a dispute over documents in the ongoing HPX US$2.8 billion Concession deal.
By Lincoln G. Peters
Monrovia, December 11, 2025: Several officials from Liberia’s Inter-Ministerial Concession Committee (IMCC), established by President Joseph N. Boakai, are at risk of facing jail time following a pending contempt charge by the Senate Joint Committee.
The committee, led by Montserrado County Senator Saah Joseph, is investigating Ivanhoe Atlantic Inc. HPX US$2.8 billion concession agreement.
The controversy centers on the alleged failure of IMCC officials to provide critical documents needed for the committee’s review and judgment.
Under Liberian law, the Senate has the authority to enforce contempt charges against individuals or entities that impede its function.
According to Senate administrative rules, such contempt can result in detention for up to five days. The Senate uses these powers to maintain its constitutional role, protect its dignity, and ensure orderly legislative proceedings, tools seen as vital for upholding its responsibilities as a branch of government.
In this case, IMCC officials’ failure to submit the requested documents during their appearance before the committee is being interpreted as an attempt to obstruct legislative operations.
As a result, the Senate Joint Committee is considering whether to proceed with contempt charges, which could lead to jail sentences for those involved.
Joint Senate Committee chair Saah Joseph has emphasized the importance of the committee’s work, noting that decisions on the HPX concession agreement will have long-lasting impacts on Liberia’s infrastructure, regional relationships, and economic opportunities.
The committee is tasked with thoroughly examining the proposed agreement, which extends beyond any single administration and will shape the nation’s future for decades.
Sen. Joseph revealed that, in preparation for the hearings, the committee formally requested key documents from the Executive Branch.
The documents are deemed essential for truth-telling, thorough investigation, and credible review. However, as of now, some documents have not been submitted, raising concerns about compliance and transparency.
The Senate committee has signaled that it takes its oversight responsibilities seriously, warning that lapses in document submission will not go unnoticed.
Sen. Joseph recalled painful experiences with the Eton and Ebomaf agreements, in which Liberia was left with legal commitments but no tangible benefits.
He further stated that while Liberia remains open to regional cooperation and multiuser infrastructure models—reflecting President Boakai’s vision for multiuse rail, the country must ensure that every agreement is transparent and aligned with its long-term interests.
Agreements must meet domestic legal standards, comply with bilateral treaties, and adhere to procedures outlined in ratified implementation agreements, such as those from 2001.
‘’ It must comply not only with the domestic law but the bilateral treaty and implementation agreements that we signed and ratified in 2001, which carried the force of the law and procedure in mandatory form. Our role today is to endorse or reject. Our role is to scrutinize, understand, and ask the hard questions to determine whether the required treaty procedures were followed, the institution body mandated under the agreement was activated, and whether Liberia’s interests are fully protected during negotiations. We expect all witnesses’ cooperation. We also expect a high level of transparency,’ he concluded.
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