Dr. Marie Scott Wilson, a social justice advocate, has labeled Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus, a former Liberian government official sanctioned by the US, a hypocrite and a political opportunist. This criticism follows Cephus’ recent statement that he would refrain from criticizing the current Unity Party-led government, despite its struggles with economic hardship, rule of law abuse, and widespread corruption.
Dr. Wilson’s statement accuses the former Solicitor General and Chief Prosecutor of hypocrisy, citing his role as a key enforcer of the previous government, where he silenced dissent and weaponized prosecutions. According to Dr. Wilson, Cephus’ current praises of the government is not driven by genuine contrition but rather by political opportunism.
In 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus for involvement in public corruption. According to OFAC, Cllr. Cephus and other officials were designated under Executive Order 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption around the world.
According to the U.S. Department of Treasury, Cllr Cephus used his position as Solicitor General and Chief Prosecutor of Liberia, to develope close relationships with suspects in criminal investigations and received bribes in exchange for dropping their cases. He reportedly worked behind the scenes to arrange for money laundering investigations to cease, allowing him to benefit financially. Cephus has been accused of shielding money launderers and helping them evade prosecution through the court system, often by intimidating other prosecutors to quash investigations.
Dr. Wilson argues that Cllr. Cephus cannot simply rewrite his past actions and expect to be taken seriously as a praise singer to the current administration. “You cannot wash bloody hands with political water and expect to come out clean,” Dr. Wilson stated. The social justice advocate urges the Liberian people to be cautious of “political shapeshifters” who seek to rebrand themselves as clean alternatives without genuinely acknowledging and making amends for past wrongdoings.