Nigerian-born Nwabudike resigns as Liberia’s anti-corruption chair amid citizenship row

Ndubusi Nwabudike, a Liberian citizen of Nigerian descent, has offered his resignation as chairman of the country’s anti-corruption commission.

This development is coming in the wake of allegations that he obtained his Liberian citizenship illegally, FrontPage Africa reports.

George Weah, Liberia president, appointed Nwabudike as chairman of Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) in October 2019.

But political opponents had criticised the decision, saying Nwabudike was illegally appointed.

The Liberian senate directed its committee on judiciary to investigate a concern raised by Abraham Darius Dillon, a senator, on Nwabudike’s citizenship.

Citing part IV section 6.3 of the act creating the LACC, Dillon argued that only citizens of Liberia are eligible to serve as commissioner of the anti-graft commission, adding that Nwabudike does not meet the criteria.

He said the authenticity of Nwabudike’s naturalization documents are questionable, saying his Liberian passports contained several dates of birth.

Despite the supreme court ruling that Nwabudike obtained his citizenship as required by law, the controversy had persisted.

On Tuesday, the Liberian government announced Nwabudike’s resignation which takes effect from February 26.

In a statement, the LACC boss was quoted as saying his resignation is in the interest of the Liberian government and people.

“It does not serve the overall strategic interest of your government and our people if I were to constitute a distraction from the national agenda that your government is poised to deliver to our people,” he said.

Nwabudike, a graduate of law, had served as a graft investigator in Liberia before Weah appointed him to head of the anti-graft commission.