Amin Modad, a prominent Minister in President Joseph Boakai’s Unity Party Alliance government has resigned on account of a wave of allegations tied to his financial dealings and recent luxury purchases.
Amid Modad tendered in his registration to the office of the President Wednesday after finding himself exiled by the 79-year-old leader who showed distaste for the Commerce Minister’s suspicious purchase of a luxury vehicle worth more than $100,000.
President Boakai was away from the country attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York when controversy about Modad’s extravagant spending erupted.
Sources revealed that upon visiting the presidential residence, he was met with a cold shoulder, with aides informing him that the President had no desire to see him—a move that left the Minister with a sense of potential marginalization and exile from the cabinet .
Modad, who disclosed a staggering net worth of $8.6 million—eight times greater than that of President Boakai, has faced accusations of misusing public funds and the ill-gotten purchase of both a privately owned boat and the opulent SUV.
In his resignation letter delivered to the president on Wednesday, Modad vehemently denied any wrongdoing. He has since denounced the charges as “deceptive” and “malicious.”
“Over the last few days, there has been public outcry over the purchase of a vehicle for over $45,000,” Modad lamented in his resignation letter.
“Though I have provided all documentation and facts that demonstrate that there was no malfeasance, I am deeply concerned about the impact on my integrity and the administration. This continues to be a distraction from the real national issues and your agenda.”
Modad’s tenure as Minister of Commerce and Industry was preceded by a notable career, including positions at CitiGroup and HSBC, and a history with the National Investment Commission.
Despite his qualifications and past accolades, analysts speculated upon his appointment in January that his background as a businessman raises important questions around potential conflicts of interest.
The controversy surrounding him intensified following a statement from Senator Nathaniel F. McGill, who accused Modad of using his office to enrich himself, adding fuel to the accusations of cronyism lurking in the shadows.
Scrutiny also fell on Modad’s ties to Medtech Scientific—a firm embroiled in controversy at the Freeport of Monrovia—culminating in allegations that the SUV purchase might involve kickbacks related to the company’s operations.
Following the resignation, Modad becomes the second minister to leave the Boakai administration in just three months, raising concerns about the stability and integrity of the cabinet as pressure piles on the President to reshuffle the cabinet.
As Modad exits the political stage, he emphasizes that he leaves with “integrity and passion,” yet his departure illustrates challenges that surround governance in post-conflict country like Liberia.
