Nimba County Senator Samuel G. Kogar has strongly rejected recent claims made by the Office of the Ombudsman, which listed him among 12 Senators who allegedly failed to declare their assets with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC). The allegation was made on Thursday, July 31, 2025, during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing by Cllr. Findley Karnga, Executive Director of the Office of the Ombudsman. Cllr. Karnga asserted that Senator Kogar was among noncompliant legislators who had not fulfilled their legal obligation under the Code of Conduct. In response, the Senate Press and Public Affairs Bureau, in an official release dated August 1, 2025, clarified that Senator Kogar officially declared his assets on July 17, 2025, shortly after being elected during the April 2025 Nimba County by-election. The declaration was made in accordance with Section 10.2 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials. Senator Kogar, reacting to the disclosure, described the statement from the Ombudsman’s office as a “grossly distorted narrative” aimed at undermining his hard-earned reputation. He called on Cllr. Karnga to verify with the LACC and issue an immediate retraction of the erroneous statement. “This is not just misinformation it is a clear disconnection between the Office of the Ombudsman and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission,” Senator Kogar emphasized. He further cautioned that such public misstatements not only damage reputations but also weaken public trust in anti-corruption institutions. Senator Kogar went on to describe the claim as “character assassination,” urging the Ombudsman to “recognize the error and do the needful by issuing a public correction.” He added: “Failure on the part of the Executive Director of the Office of the Ombudsman to issue a retraction will leave me with no option but to formally request the Liberian Senate to summon him for questioning upon our return from constituency break.” Additionally, Senator Kogar reminded the public that he has a track record of compliance with the Code of Conduct. He noted that upon his reelection as Representative of Nimba County District #5 in 2023, he also declared his assets with the LACC on March 1, 2024. The Senator reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and accountability and called on public integrity institutions to ensure accuracy and due diligence in their public communications.
