Monrovia– April 17, 2025: On Tuesday, Criminal Court ‘C’ granted bail to Rev. Emmanuel Nimely, former religious advisor to ex-President George Weah, in connection with an alleged US$87,300 visa scam.

Rev. Nimely, who also served as senior pastor at Weah’s Forkay Klon Church, had been held at the Monrovia Central Prison since 2023. He was arrested for allegedly defrauding 90 individuals by promising travel arrangements to Australia.

Although the charges are bailable under Liberian law, Nimely’s legal team initially failed to secure a valid criminal bond after his first court appearance, resulting in his extended detention. A proper bond was finally submitted and accepted by the court on Tuesday.

Complainant H. Momo Fortune, Jr. told investigators he met Nimely on August 6, 2023. Nimely introduced himself as the founder of the “Global Spiritual Cleansing Peace and Reconciliation Organization” and said he was organizing an event titled the “Healing Broken Hearts of Australia Reconciliation Conference and Crusade.”

Fortune claimed Nimely collected $3,500 from him under the pretense of obtaining an Australian visa. Over 80 others reportedly paid $970 each under similar false promises.

Nimely later admitted to police that he took the money to process visas for the fictitious conference. When the visas didn’t materialize and he couldn’t repay the victims, police became involved.

Investigators found that the organization functioned as a religious group holding prayer and peace-building events, but was ultimately being used to run scams, including fake overseas conferences. A flyer promoting a five-day event in Australia from December 5–9, 2023, featured the national flags of Liberia, Kenya, and Australia, along with the event’s theme.

Rev. Nimely served as President Weah’s religious advisor from 2016 to 2018.

Courtesy of Front-page Africa