By Elijah Easter Kaykay
Grand Bassa, August 28, 2025 – Tensions are rising in Grand Bassa County following allegations made by Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, who publicly accused several county officials of allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent iron ore tailings agreement with Steelfort Mining Company. During a media interview, Lawrence claimed that these officials bypassed proper legal procedures in fast-tracking the deal.
Lawrence stated that she believes Senator Gbehzohngar Findley, County Administrative Officer James Duen, and County Council Chair Nancy Bryant played key roles in what she described as the “BM Speed”—a term she used to characterize what she alleges was an illegal and rushed process to finalize the agreement. She expressed concerns that the deal was pushed through without full approval from the Grand Bassa Legislative Caucus.
During her interview on the Ableejay Media Dumboy Show on Thursday, Lawrence alleged that Duen signed the agreement while serving under the questionable title of “Acting Superintendent,” and that Findley and Bryant facilitated the process outside established legal channels. She characterized the actions as “deceptive and illegal,” asserting that the officials lacked transparency and warned of possible legal repercussions.
In response to the allegations, Senator Gbehzohngar Findley dismissed the claims, calling them false and defamatory. During a media engagement in Buchanan, Findley stated, “From another background, let me say this clearly — Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence is a liar. She lies all the time.”
As of now, neither James Duen nor Nancy Bryant has issued public statements regarding the accusations.
The controversy has ignited debate within the county’s political landscape, with some stakeholders calling for an official investigation into the matter. Meanwhile, critics emphasize the importance of verifying facts before making public allegations, and some officials urge that such disputes be handled through official channels rather than media accusations.
The situation remains fluid, and further developments are anticipated as authorities and stakeholders continue to respond.
