Monrovia – Former President George M. Weah has accused Claude J. Katta, Chairman of the Liberia Electrical energy Regulatory Fee (LERC), of buying a stolen Mercedes-Benz, a car Weah claims was given to his former driver. The dispute has shortly escalated right into a political controversy, drawing President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s identify into the narrative and sparking a broader debate about patronage and accountability in Liberia.
By Jaheim T. Tumu – [email protected]
A Dispute That Turned Political
Weah posted on WhatsApp: “My automotive, a Mercedes-Benz, was stolen and has been discovered with Mr. Claude J. Katta… The Police have been knowledgeable. Thank God.”
He later added, “This man Katta purchased a stolen car from my driver. The police want to analyze and return the stolen car. The truth that they even modified the unique paperwork of the automotive by doubtful means can also be legal… Mr. Katta, you made an error. Attempt to right it.”
Weah emphasised that he had freely given automobiles prior to now with out controversy however insisted this transaction was illegal. He additionally drew a political connection:
“Ask Mr. Katta since he been with Boakai from Vice President, President of the Senate, and as much as current as President of the Republic of Liberia. Did Katta ever obtain a Mercedes-Benz as a present from his boss, Boakai?”
By invoking Boakai’s identify, Weah framed the dispute as a take a look at of patronage politics and loyalty.
Grey Amplifies Allegations
Former lawmaker Acarous Grey, a recognized Weah ally, circulated a Ministry of Transport certificates dated August 2, 2024, itemizing the car as a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E320 sedan registered to Weah, with a warning that altered paperwork had been invalid. Grey accused Katta of tampering with the car’s registration.
Katta Rejects Claims
Katta dismissed the allegations as “false, reckless, and malicious,” accusing Weah’s allies of spreading misinformation:
“Former lawmaker Acarous Grey, together with components inside the CDC, has intentionally misled the general public by spreading a false and defamatory narrative surrounding an alleged stolen car.”
He insisted there was no proof linking him to the automotive and known as the controversy “politically poisonous, aimed toward character assassination and public deception.”
Alleged Proprietor Speaks
Mayango Govego, recognized as the present proprietor, confirmed he legally bought the automotive from William Lartey, Weah’s former driver, on December 26, 2025, through Sendwave. Govego offered registration papers dated November 25, 2025, exhibiting Lartey because the proprietor and insurance coverage certificates issued in January 2026.
Govego stated Lartey had acquired the car from Weah as a present for commuting functions. He emphasised that each one paperwork listed him because the authorized proprietor and that Katta had no involvement within the transaction, contradicting Weah’s claims.
Patronage Politics on Trial
The Mercedes-Benz saga has develop into much less concerning the automotive and extra about credibility, political loyalty, and the casual tradition of asset transfers in Liberia. By questioning whether or not Boakai ever gifted Katta a car, Weah highlighted considerations about patronage networks and political favoritism.
For Boakai, the controversy is politically delicate. Although circuitously implicated, his identify has been drawn into the narrative, illustrating how private disputes typically escalate into political checks in Liberia.
Analysts say the episode additionally underscores the dangers of casual generosity. Whereas Weah has freely given automobiles throughout his presidency, undocumented transfers create potential authorized and political issues.
Investigation Pending
Weah has known as on the Liberia Nationwide Police to analyze and recuperate the car, whereas Katta’s camp calls for retractions and warns of potential authorized motion over defamatory statements. As of press time, authorities had not confirmed the opening of a proper investigation.
The Mercedes-Benz dispute, whereas centered on a single car, has already stirred public debate, raised questions on accountability, and drawn the previous and present administrations right into a politically charged confrontation.
Broader Political Implications
The Mercedes-Benz saga underscores a recurring sample in Liberian politics: private belongings, presents, and perceived favoritism typically develop into proxy battles for credibility and get together loyalty. Analysts say this rising dispute might result in each UP and CDC supporters decoding the occasions by partisan lenses, reinforcing political polarization.
They famous that it demonstrates how Liberia’s political panorama permits personal disputes to shortly develop into public checks of accountability, patronage, and political credibility. The Mercedes-Benz could not resolve an election, however the perceptions it generates might affect public confidence in management and institutional integrity.
