Law & Order
CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA
MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US
DOLLAR
These are indicative rates based on results of daily surveys of the
foreign exchange market in Monrovia and its environs. The rates are
collected from the Forex Bureaux and the commercials banks. The
rates are not set by the Central Bank of Liberia.
Source: Research, Policy and Planning Department,
Central Bank Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2015 L$84.00/US$1 L$85.00/US$1
BUYING SELLING
L$84.00/US$1 L$85.00/US$1
Female LBDI Employee Goes On Trial
Battery Factory Community
‘I AM GUILTY’
GOVERNMENT SET TO MOVE ON UREY, ANNOS, SENATE SECRETARY,
OTHERS
INDICTMENT LOOMS IN NOCAL ‘BRIBERY’ SAGA
"That Defendants Clemenceau B. Urey, Sr., then Chairman, Board of
Directors of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), Cllr.
Stephen B. Dunbar, Jr., Peter B. Jallah, Jr., D. Evelyn Kandakai,
Albert T. Chie, all then members Board
of Directors, NOCAL, Dr. Fodee Kromah, former President/CEO, NOCAL,
Fulton Reeves, Comptroller, NOCAL, Timothy G. Wiaplah, then Senior
Accountant, NOCAL authorized, approved, paid and/or caused to be
paid US$50,000 captioned as “lobbying fees” to members of the 52nd
Legislature ......" - Excerpt from unsealed indictment obtained by
FrontPageAfrica
Page 2 | Frontpage Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Barely twenty two months before the momentous year 2017 arrives,
already the presidential configurations are beginning to take
shape. Several factors will determine the winners, losers, king
makers and also
those who will contest in Liberia’s most important election in the
post war period. The 2017 election will determine if Liberians are
shedding their international image from a country perpetually on
the verge of implosion or as contributors to a peaceful democratic
order within the international system. Domestic politics based upon
one man one vote should be the decisive factor in the 2017
presidential elections, but certainly, with so much riding on the
country’s future, regional and geopolitical factors will also come
into play. Liberia is no longer just another poor African nation
situated on the continent’s West Coast. It is a special project
supported by the international system in peace building and
consolidation. With billions of dollars poured into the country
since the end of the war in 2003, the international community
cannot stand by idly as Liberians make choices that could return
the country to its ugly and painful past. Therefore, the
international community will in no small way try to influence the
outcome of the country’s election by sending clear signals on those
presidential candidates and political configurations acceptable to
the international system. That would be a tall order, considering
the fact that the international system operates under the doctrine
of not interfering in the domestic politics of member states. That
is only in theory. Both regional and international considerations
will determine the outcome of the 2017 presidential elections and
the amount of support and cooperation that will be granted by the
country’s development partners to the new leaders in Monrovia.
Therefore, political groupings in Liberia will be looking for clear
signals from Washington, D.C, Abuja and Brussels. Already,
Washington is reordering the transition by attempting to strengthen
the exit of President Sirleaf on a positive note. Before the onset
of Ebola, it was clear that relations between the two countries
were strained due to the negative narrative coming out of Liberia
which seemed to indicate deepening poverty and lack of social
cohesion as a result of unchecked corruption in all branches of the
government. Transparency International rates Liberia the 2nd most
corrupt country in Africa based upon a perception survey of
Liberians. But with the Ebola virus waning and the Obama
administration in need of a foreign policy triumph in contrast to
the difficulties in Iraq, Yemen, Libya and Afghanistan, Mrs.
Sirleaf and Mr. Obama have developed a sort of synergy, with both
presidents as lame ducks desiring to leave office on a positive
note. The American support to Liberia in fighting Ebola with more
than 2800 troops and hundreds of millions of dollars clearly
requires a victory lap by both presidents, and on Thursday of this
week in Washington, D.C, fortuitously for President Sirleaf, she
will be sharing the dais with President Obama, with both declaring
their fight against Ebola an unqualified success. The photo op
would be irresistible. For President Sirleaf, it would be an
opportunity to dispel the widespread belief in Liberia that
disagreements existed between the two counties mainly on issues of
corruption and lack of accountability in governance and for
President Obama; it would signal America’s support to an African
country in its victorious fight against the scourge of Ebola.
President Sirleaf
could strategically use the rekindling of relations with the Obama
administration to reconsolidate her foreign policy credentials
which could help in giving her some leverage in influencing the
presidential election in 2017. Her two recent political losses,
Robert Sirleaf’s rebuff by voters in Montserrado County during the
senatorial elections last December and repudiation of Joseph Nagbe,
her choice for Senate Pro Temp should be instructive on her
loosening grips on power. The elections in Nigeria between
incumbent Good Luck Jonathan and former Military Leader Muhamudu
Buhari could also determine the sway Nigeria, the regional economic
and military power has in the 2017 elections. It is clear that Good
Luck Jonathan and President Sirleaf have cordial relations, but
lately, the political tide has been turning in Nigeria, with her
other friend, Olusegun Obasanjo endorsing Buhari. A Buhari win
would improve Obasanjo’s influence, but if Jonathan wins, it might
undermine the intermediary role Obasanjo has been playing with the
Nigerian power elite on behalf of President Sirleaf. The Nigerians
have to be courted by anyone who wants to be the president of
Liberia in 2017 and beyond. Some have already begun doing so, but
the latest election in that country and its unknown outcome has
placed everyone on pause for the moment. The political
configurations for 2017 are becoming clearer as the time
approaches. The major players in the field are mostly well known
and are positioning themselves to build coalitions that could give
them state power in 2017. Clearly, the incumbent President, Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf, the person with the most to gain or lose will
certainly try as hard as possible to determine her successor. The
president is still playing it very close to her chest, although in
private she is telling confidantes she supports Vice President Joe
Boakai for the presidency in 2017, but the signal has been blurred
by the actions of the president’s key operatives. There is brewing
tension between supporters of the Vice President and some of the
President’s key operatives. The Vice president has been complaining
that he gets minimal budget support from the government and there
is some tension over the lack of clarity on the president’s support
of the Vice president’s ambitions. What is clear is that earlier
prediction that the President would resign a year or two before her
term ends in order to provide the advantage of incumbency to Joe
Boakai is now highly unlikely as President Sirleaf is making it
clear she intends to finish her term. Additionally, the President
is being urged to finish her term by her closest friends and allies
fearing that Boakai could bring in his own team, sidelining many of
them, and thus it would be best they just ride out President
Sirleaf’s last term. The President’s Unity Party is all in tatters,
with a faction loyal to newly elected Senator Varney Sherman,
mostly led by the Secretary General Wilmot Paye as the remaining
piece in a fully dismembered political arrangement. The Party has
been coming apart at the seams since early 2012, immediately after
the inauguration, with members of the Auxiliary, Youth Wing, Rural
Women and other constituents feeling alienated, from lack of a
credible plan to provide jobs and opportunities for the party’s
supporters. Instead, they claim, the administration provides jobs
and opportunities to her friends and cronies. The Chairman of the
Youth Wing, Assistant Minister Amos Tweah led a group of county
youth leaders to meet the President
at her farm on New Year’s Day, a tradition, but was apparently
rebuffed by the President or her close confidantes. Mr. Tweah has
complained privately about the treatment meted out to him and his
colleagues. Clearly, the president’s Party that gave her two
successive presidential elections is only a shelf of itself, with
prominent members, such as Musa Hassan Bility and Madina Wesseh,
publicly challenging the president’s son’s bid to be senator and
may be signaling their independence to create a political
configuration that would make them relevant in the choices in
2017.
Rodney D. Sieh,
[email protected]
FrontpageTuesday, February 24, 2015 Page 3 Benoni Urey, Charles
Brumskine and Mills Jones. Although the presidential succession
line may be deeper than the four leading candidates, with others
like Simeon Freeman, Kennedy Sandy, Kwame Clements, and the
nativists led by Emmanuel Nuquay in the newly formed People
Unification Party (PUP), but it is clear that unless there are
dramatic shifts in the current Liberian political configurations,
these four leading candidates will continue to be the key figures
to watch. One potential candidate who cannot win a national race,
but can always serve as premier king or queen maker is Nimba’s
irrepressible Senator Prince Y. Johnson, who came in third in the
2011 elections ahead of Charles Brumskine of the Liberty Party, and
whose support assured Mrs. Sirleaf the presidency. Nimba county
will continue to be the swing county in presidential politics due
to its demographics (the second largest voters roll in Liberia) and
Prince Johnson’s role as the God father of the county is expected
to remain consequential for the foreseeable future with 2017 being
no exception.
George Weah Chances: George Weah, the political leader of the
Congress for Democratic Change, and recently elected Montserrado
County Senator is a leading contender for the presidency in 2017,
and he could also be the biggest king maker. While Weah has not
demonstrated any winning formula in national elections, yet the CDC
is still the largest political opposition force in the country, but
with mainly an urban following that has not made much of an impact
in elections outside of Montserrado Country. Nevertheless the
country’s youth has demonstrated its love for its biggest ever
sports sensation, which may be George Weah’s enduring appeal.
Whether that kind of popularity can be transformed into a winning
combination for a presidential contest is unclear.
Odds: What is clear is that the Liberian people may be unwilling or
unable to give state power to Mr. Weah when he has not demonstrated
political leadership by extending the CDC’s reach to other
important constituencies, and in fact the CDC has been badly
fractured with key operatives fleeing the party. Eugene Nagbe,
Jacob Kabakole, Jackie Capehart, Geraldine Doe-Sheriff and many
other functionaries left the party and for now it seems the radical
wing of the party is exerting leadership through Jefferson Koijee,
Mulbah Morlu and the iconoclastic representative Acarous Gray. The
recent leadership imbroglio within the party that saw some members
brutalized and led to the expulsion of Chairman George Solo seems
to validate the feeling that the party is overburdened with
youthful indiscretions and immaturity in the political leadership.
Many observers says Weah’s inability to rein in some of his young
and aggressive supporters has made it difficult if not impossible
to bring in more moderate partisans, with professional experience
that could serve as the foundation for leadership in a CDC led
national administration. Moreover, George Weah has not consolidated
his credentials as a political leader with any foreign policy
reach, except for friends in FIFA, who cannot do much to influence
regional or international politics. The proximity of Mr. Weah to
Mr. Mohammed Bin Hammam in the Qatari FIFA scandal could also
impact the former world best footballer’s attempts to gain broader
appeal internationally that could increase his credibility as a
successor to Mrs. Sirleaf in 2017. Mr. Weah has limited experience
and reach in the international system and no one in the CDC is
stepping up to the plate to provide him the external links
necessary to be a successful president of Liberia.
Benoni Urey Chances: Benoni Urey seems to riding the wave of
popular dissatisfaction with the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Administration and is one candidate working on building a coalition
across the political spectrum. The fact that a strong supporter of
jailed President Charles Taylor has positioned himself as a
potential successor to Madam Sirleaf indicates some of the failings
of the current administration and could portend difficult days for
people tied to the Unity Party. Benoni Urey comes with lots
of
political baggage, including his ties to former President Taylor,
but he appears to be overcoming that by his popularity with key
segments of the electorate, and it doesn’t hurt that Mr. Urey has
the financial resources to make himself relevant in the quest for
power in 2017. He is rumored to be a 20 percent shareholder in
Lonestar, with a thousand plus rubber plantation, owner of several
radio stations and with strong allies in the Media. Already,
Friends of Urey organizations are springing up all over the country
and around the world. Mr. Urey appears to be rebuilding the winning
coalition that brought the NPP to power in 1997. He spends most of
his time in Bong and Nimba counties and recently has sought to
finance the reburial of former late vice president Enoch Dogolea to
his county of birth.
Odds: Despite his successes, Mr. Urey must still face the demons of
Charles Taylor and his ties to a government widely considered bad
neighbors in the Sub-region. One person Mr. Urey has to convince
within the region is Alasane Outtara, a good and dear friend of
President Sirleaf, who is highly suspicious of anyone with links to
Mr. Charles Taylor. Mr. Urey would have to also convince regional
and international leaders that his quest for the presidency is his
own ambition, has nothing to do with resuscitating the NPP or the
influence of Charles Taylor and he is a man of his own standing. A
tall order, but Mr. Urey is a product of the American school system
from grade school through high school at the American Cooperative
School, graduate school at the University of Southern California
with two masters degrees has the pedigree but must still overcome
the deep seated suspicious against people with ties to Charles
Taylor. Mr. Urey says he is very confident that his popularity and
influence with Liberians can overcome any perceived deficiency he
has with the international community. He is quick to remind anyone
listening that he has been cleared by the UN system lifting
sanctions on him almost two years now. In that report, it said he
did not pose any threat to Liberia or the region.
Charles Walker Brumskine
Chances: Charles Walker Brumskine, political leader of the Liberty
Party who had allegedly resigned from politics during the last
campaign season has most of the characteristics acceptable to the
West, but the learned counselor has been unable to pull substantial
votes in two national contests, in 2005 and 2011. Failure to pull
high numbers certainly might indicate that he lacks a national
constituency. People within the international system are
comfortable with him, meaning he is a not a significant departure
from the style and tempo of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
administration, minus the political will to fight corruption.
Pundits say if he could develop a winning coalition, his
administration would signal some sort of continuity in democratic
governance.
But Brumskine has disappointed his wells wishers in the last two
elections. In fact he came in fourth place in 2011 after Prince
Johnson. While he played the role of a king maker in 2005
unwittingly by not supporting any candidate after he lost to
Sirleaf and Weah in the first round, he played no significant part
in the 2011 elections. Brumskine has the opportunity to build a
winning coalition. There are talks between his camp and some
operatives of the president who are designing an insurance policy
just in case the Boakai presidential ambition falters. Brumskine’s
Liberty Party came alive in the 2014 senatorial race, by wresting a
seat from Gbezongar Findley, the president’s closest ally in the
senate and by propelling Steve Zargo to victory in Lofa. The
Party’s Chairman Fonati Koffa is a strong ally and business partner
with Medina Wesseh, the president’s close allies, although
relations have thawed over Ms. Wesseh’s repudiation of the Robert
Sirleaf campaign. Chairman Koffa is the key Brumskine operative who
is the link to the ruling party, negotiating terms and conditions
for 2017 and opportunities in the interim with the country’s
Finance Minister Amara Konneh, probably the closest political ally
and functionary to the president, besides her son Robert Sirleaf.
Odds: If Charles Brumskine wants to be president, he needs to build
a national coalition. He must go beyond the influence the Liberty
Party wields in Grand Bassa County and start to behave like an
opposition and not as an appendage to the ruling party. People miss
the old Brumskine who provided credible analysis on issues of
national concern during the first term of President Sirleaf, but
has now gone into political hibernation, serving mostly as a legal
counsel for business interests. Liberians seem to want the old
Brumskine back.
Joseph Mills Jones
v
CommentaryEDITORIAL
SINCE THE DEATH of Atty. Michael Allison more than a week ago, the
Liberian National Police announced that it immediately commenced
investigation to ascertain the circumstances that led to the
incident but it seems all is now tied to an autopsy report from a
Sierra Leonean Pathologist. ON THE DAY of the incident,
eyewitnesses confirmed that the police was alerted about the
incident when the late Allison was accordingly rescued from the
water where he was allegedly found drowning. ONE EYE WITNESS
account narrated that the police failed to remove the body of the
deceased on the day of the incident despite arriving on the scene,
resulting to mutilation of the dead body the next day. THE
CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING the death of Allison has led to
widespread speculations that something sinister took place and that
he did not die under normal cause. AN INCIDENT OF such nature
requires prompt investigation in order to dispel the looming fear
that people fighting corruption are at risk especially when the
deceased was part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged
corruption saga. EVEN A FAST preliminary report is necessary while
full scale investigation continues, as it will help to calm tension
and restore some level of confidence in the police force. WHENEVER,
THE SECURITY force such as police fails to perform its functions;
it leaves the public with no options but to continue to speculate
that something went wrong in Allison’s death. AT THE BACKDROP of
all the rumors and speculations, the Liberian National Police,
responsible for investigating such mysterious incidences including
deaths is under obligation to investigate and produce a report for
public consumption. IT NOW SEEMS all the questions and suspicions
surrounding the death of Allison are now tied to an autopsy report
which is yet to be released by a Sierra Leonean, Dr. Koroma. THE
POLICE MUST perform its statutory mandate to investigate and
produce a report not relying on an autopsy conducted by a foreign
doctor before releasing a report. OVER THE LAST few years the
police has proven incapable of conducting investigation as there
are numerous instances where it has assured the public of
conducting investigation into events but in the end these reports
are never released to the public. IT IS A shame for a force trained
with the help of the international community including the United
Nations Mission in Liberia where experts were brought into the
country and some police officers sent abroad for training to prove
unable to perform such duty as conducting investigation. THERE ARE
COUNTLESS instances where the Liberian national Police has failed
to live to up expectation in conducting investigation and the
Allison case must not be another one this time around. IT IS A
compelling duty of the police to utilize the trainings conducted
using thousands of dollars by performing it duties including
conducting investigation. LIBERIA CANNOT CONTINUE to spend millions
on
COMMENTARY
IN ALLISON’S DEATH Abraham M. Keita, VI –
[email protected]
CORRUPTION REJOICES….AS WHISTLE-BLOWER DEMISED
In spite of the creation of anti-corruption entities including the
General Auditing Commission and the Liberia Anti-Corruption
Commission, corruption and other economic crimes remain on
the rampage. In fact, corruption is wining and dining with
President Sirleaf and other high government officials. Corruption
is rejoicing today simply because one of its antagonists has fallen
prey to the cold hands of death. Corruption makes a minority to
remain at the echelon of wealth, and makes the ordinary and
hopeless majority to perpetuate in poverty, hunger and disease.
Corruption has rejuvenated and is rejoicing due to an uninformed
war that was declared on transparency and accountability.
Micro-felons and bandits are now singing songs of ecstasy and have
been rejuvenated from their corrupt catacombs. They are
re-enforcing their corrupt tentacles into our state coffers and
pillaging our resources and tax-payers’ money. It is an open secret
that economic vultures and vampires took an oath to humiliate and
trick down reputable individuals who are vociferous against
corruption. Corruption is not only an immoral act, but also, it
devastates the economy; it widens the economic gap between the
haves (rich) and the have-nots (poor); and serves as an obstacle to
the building of good infrastructure, and the transformation of the
livelihoods of our people. Throughout the pages of the annals of
history, corruption has been gate-crashing the path to genuine
national development and an impediment to the scramble for the
eradication of poverty, hunger and inequality. Under the regime of
President Sirleaf, a lady who spoke vigorously against this very
corruption, economic sabotage is the hall-mark of the day. Every
corner of our country has been affected by this menacing enemy that
is dangerous than diseases – Corruption. For too long, the theory
of impunity has overwhelmed our judicial system. Bribery and loss
of jobs have been used by our leaders as a medium of preventing
corruptors from facing the law. Our judges and lawyers are rapid in
taking bribes. Economic embezzlers have made the nation and its
people gullible that even prosecutors of economic crimes can no
longer uphold their integrity. Instead, their stomachs are being
controlled by money. Despite of the rejuvenation of corruption, we
will continue to combat it. The journey to eliminating this
faceless and societal virus may seem gigantic and vacillating, but
we must remain chronic in our quest; we must not be deterred by the
words of morally-deficit characters; we must make transparency,
accountability and integrity our basic formula. This journey
requires uncompromising, morally-disciplined and unwavering
individuals who are prepare to give away their lives in order to
sustain this fight. It is not an easy task to do, because
economic
bandits have agglutinated and placed themselves at the peak of our
three (3) Branches of government. Cllr. Michael Allison, where ever
your soul might be right now, I say to you, your fight against
corruption will be maintained, your memories will live on and
justice will be served in due course. The death of Cllr. Allison,
who was the conduit in an ongoing corruption case of US$25,000.00
involving Rep. Alex Tyler-Speaker of the House of Representatives
and Rep. Adolph A. Lawrence- Representative of District #15-
Montserrado County, is an inspiration to me and many other young
people and an urgent call to intensify our joint effort against
economic crimes. We have become more proactive fighters against
corruption. We can safely say, you are the father of anti-
corruption in Liberia. And, we are awaiting the autopsy
reports.
“OUR TEARS SHOULD SERVE AS A CHANGE” -A TRIBUTE TO CLLR. MICHAEL
ALLSON
Oh! Cllr. Michael Allison, I am completely sad and astonished
Because you demised without telling us a good-bye If only I had the
power to take lives, you wouldn’t have died The cold hands of death
took you away, without considering the struggle ahead Your death
has proven to the world that corruption Is our government common
denominator Now that you have died, we are inspire to continue your
fight Defeating corruption is not an easy task, but with the
guidance Of your soul, we will achieve it For many days we have
cried, but our tears cannot bring you back Our promise to you is to
fight corruption to the last drop of our blood So dedicated and
compassionate, you did not compromise You did all you could to
protect your integrity and save our nation from continues
bankruptcy As we wipe our tears, the change has got to start With a
sorrowful heart, I say rest in peace, Cllr. Allison, rest in peace
In your memory and honor, the struggle continues
About the writer: Abraham M. Keita – Child and Youth Advocate – is
a young Liberia who resides in the densely-slum community of West
Point, a home to over 30,000 marginalized Liberians. He can be
reached at
[email protected] and
[email protected]
a police force that cannot investigate and establish the cause of
death peaceful citizens. WHILE THE DR. Koroma is still conducting
his autopsy, the police has a responsibility to the public to
release a report into the death of Atty. Allison. IN THIS CASE, if
the police is incapable of conducting an investigation in this
particular one, it must come out bluntly to enable the government
of Liberia looks out
for competent Liberians to investigate. WHAT GOOD IS a police force
that cannot investigate when investigation is one of key functions
of policing all around the world? THIS TIME AROUND, the police must
step up and prove its worth with a credible investigation into the
death of Atty. Allison, not waiting for report from a foreign
pathologist.
FrontpageTuesday, February 24, 2015 Page 5
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The Reader's Page
GEORGE K. FAHNBULLEH · TOP COMMENTER Let me guess, there will be no
autopsy. No forensics. No nothing. The government of Liberia is a
Continuing Criminal Enterprise. GBANAY BAI ROBERTS · COMMUNITY
RELATIONS OFFICER AT LIBERIA PETROLEUM REFINING COMPANY Why should
there be an autopsy in this case Fahnbulleh? The cause of death is
very known. He died from drowning. He has gone to swim. DAH-NU
MIANYEN · CUTTINGTON UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL Hmm..... Day will
still break! Light overcomes darkness and so will this case be.
BENJAMEN QUAYE · TOP COMMENTER · UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA How is this
a homicide when an eye witness says he drowned? "... according to
accounts from a woman whose identity is sealed claiming to be a
girl said, she came out with the decease on beach around late
evening hours adding that after a while he [Cllr. Allison] decided
to swim in the ocean. According to the young lady, after few
minutes she saw him drowning adding that she cried out for help and
the security next door came to her aid and called a Brazilian man
who had a speed boat to get him out of the water which they did but
he did not survive." Don't get me wrong. This could have been a
homicide if the eye-witness saw people in the water who inflicted
the drowning. Short of that, how have we jumped from a supposed
accidental drowning to an alleged homicide? SAMUEL COLE · TOP
COMMENTER · WORKS AT UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MASONIC CHILDREN'S
HOSPITAL Exactly, the writer quotes an eyewitness but yet describes
it as a murder. I am confused! Are people reading the story or just
commenting. ALEXANDER TROKON SHELTON · TOP COMMENTER The death of
Cllr. Allison should raise more concern at this time then never
before relative to dealing with NOCAL and Legislature. No one is
above the law and if said event have occurred during an ongoing
investigation, it should place both parties concerned in the
spotlight. If our lawmaker and NOCAL will not be transparent at
this time were we at laying the foundation for the discovery of
what could be a blessing or a curse to our country, Liberia this
singular to a gray future and we as a people must do all we can to
straighten things now before this plug us into another civil unrest
in the future! WE NEED OPEN TRANSPARENCY NOT SECRECY IN THE
MANAGEMENT OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. GBANAY BAI ROBERTS · COMMUNITY
RELATIONS OFFICER AT LIBERIA PETROLEUM REFINING COMPANY I am sure
that you are not suggesting that NOCAL/ members of the Legislature
Killed the lawyer. LAR-YOME Z. GOBAH · AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL
UNIVERSITY While we regret this untimely situation, we can only
hope that investigation into his death be made known to the larger
society through a transparent- forensic and investigative process
BENJAMIN ART · TOP COMMENTER This murder like such others before it
in recent years will prove to be a turning point if this government
finds any reason, any excuse for not finding and prosecuting the
culprits involved. Otherwise, this would be the beginning of
restoring the mandate of state power to warlords in Liberia. If law
abiding citizens are murdered because of honoring their civic
duties under a civilian government, warlords might find room of
accommodation in the hearts of a scared society. This is very
unfortunate! This is very sad! This is very retrogressive! Watch
out, Liberians! GBANAY BAI ROBERTS · COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER AT
LIBERIA PETROLEUM REFINING COMPANY Is it a murder? SYLVESTER MOSES
· TOP COMMENTER · WORKS AT SELF- EMPLOYED A homicide is committed.
One promising family man had his life snuffed out violently and
prematurely by, or on behalf of, a person or persons who seemingly
believed he was a threat; therefore, his demise should deprive of a
star witness any likely prosecution of the so - called corruption
prosecution. But commonsense would’ve avoided this tragedy; the
case doesn’t have a leg to stand on in spite of the noise. It will
have embarrassing unintended consequences. For the talked about
loose ends of the issue is that the whole rigmarole was a
calculated act to frame others. Obviously, poor Cllr. Michael
Allison wasn’t a “whistleblower”, because he didn’t expose
corruption between the company that contracted with him, NOCAL, and
the named legislators. Rather he was allegedly a willing
participant in the company’s game to bribe, and expose targeted
legislators who’ve been lately proving difficult to toe their
line.
NOCAL ‘LAWYER’ WHISTLEBLOWER IN 25K OIL SAGA DEAD
Dear Mr. Dillon:
In 1912, former United States President Woodrow Wilson, in support
of the concept of constitutions being “living and breathing
documents,” said, “Society is a living organism and must obey the
laws of life, not of mechanics; it must develop. All that
progressives ask or desire is permission…to interpret the
Constitution according to the Darwinian principle; all they ask is
recognition of the fact that a nation is a living thing and not a
machine.” Ninety years later in Atkins v. Virginia, the United
States Supreme Court, using the “evolving standard of decency”
measurement, ruled that it was in violation of the Eighth Amendment
to execute a mentally retarded person. This “evolving standard of
decency” and the understanding that constitutions are living and
breathing documents have served as the foundation for fundamental
constitutional interpretations ranging from the overturning of
Pleasant v. Ferguson to the adaptation and expansion of the
Exclusionary Rule and major Fourth Amendment rulings. Now, it is
worth noting that while this article deserves uncompromising due
diligence as far as contextualization is concern, it is also
necessary to note that the doctrines being discussed are not
ancient to Liberia. As a matter of fact, at least one of them
–constitution as a living and breathing document- served as the
arguable foundation for the Liberia Supreme Court’s decision in
ruling against Simeon Freeman’s Writ of Prohibition during the 2011
electoral period. With such understanding, it is perfectly
justified to use those arguably interchangeable concepts to counter
the arguments of opponents of Dual Citizenship, of which you are
the ring leader. Speaking of the 2011 Supreme Court decision, the
late Chief Justice Johnnie Lewis, writing for the majority in that
ruling stated, “on account of the civil war and its devastating
impact on the lives of the Liberian people at different periods of
the nation’s history, which necessitated the flight of citizens
from the country, it is our opinion that the framers of the 1986
constitution could neither have contemplated nor intended that
Liberians faced with the state civil crisis be 'resident' because
at some point in the future they may want to run for the office of
president.” Mr. Dillon, you have consistently argued that the only
way in which the constitution can be changed is through a national
referendum. Do you know that the decision in 2011 was a legal
change to the constitution that did not require ANY referendum?
Moreover, the deceased Chief Justice’s statement reflects an
understanding, acceptance and situational application of the
“living and breathing document” doctrine. In addition to not only
accepting the doctrine, the decision established a solid precedent
upon which the Liberian Supreme Court can rely to rule in favor of
Dual citizenship. Knowing you, you may want to limit the ruling to
just the issue it dealt with. Unfortunately, doing such would not
only deprive you the opportunity to expand your understanding of
the mobility of constitutions. It would amount to a total disregard
for the very constitution and laws of Liberia- a country you “LOVE”
dearly. On the issue of disregarding the laws of Liberia, it is
difficult to categorize this second argument from opponents of Dual
citizenship, which is: Liberians with foreign citizenships can
still invest in Liberia (i.e., build house and establish
businesses, etc.). What is difficult to understand is the fact that
on one end, you are advocating for adherence to the constitution
and laws of Liberia yet, on the other end, you are encouraging
people to violate these laws by virtue of your claim. According to
Chapter III, Article 22A of the Liberian Constitution, “Every
person shall have the right to own property alone as well as in
association with others; provided that only Liberian citizens shall
have the right to own real property within the Republic.” Now, to
avoid argument, let us agree that given the construct of this
section, every person has the right to own some kind of “property”
in Liberia. But what we cannot argue is the fact that ONLY
Liberians can own REAL PROPERTY. And, by definition, “REAL
PROPERTY” means lands, houses, business establishments (not leased
but built) and a host of other “tangible properties” within the
context of the law. So, based on that indisputable fact, it is
accurate to conclude that such disregard for the law as being
pushed by you and your cohorts is highly clandestine and not
nationalistic. The most plausible reason
is to eventually lay national claim to these individuals'
properties in the near future, which is not entirely impossible
judging from the manner in which the country’s affairs are being
conducted. As if this contradiction is not enough, you and your
fellow opponents of Dual citizenship decided it is OK to project
yourselves as defenders of the constitution while at the same time
using the Alien and Nationality Law to argue against Dual
Citizenship. The issue here is that the Alien and Nationality Law
contradicts the constitution in many ways, two of which include:
the Due Process provision and the citizenship definition. According
to Article 20A of the Liberian Constitution, due process is
required before one can be deprived of their right to "life,
liberty, security of the person or property or ANY OTHER RIGHT..."
Now, according to Section 22.2 of your beloved Alien and
Nationality Law, "the loss of Citizenship under Section 22.1 of
this title (I.e., Alien and Nationality Law) shall result solely
from the performance by a citizen of the acts or fulfillment of the
conditions specified in such section, and WITHOUT THE INSTITUTION
BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ANY PROCEEDINGS TO NULLIFY OR CANCEL SUCH
CITIZENSHIP." On one end, you have the constitution calling for DUE
PROCESS and, on the other end, you have a title calling for
AUTOMATIC loss of citizenship. What is even more disturbing is the
fact that Section 22.1A of the Alien and Nationality Law states
that "voting in a political election in a foreign state..." are
grounds for AUTOMATIC loss of Liberian citizenship. This means, a
LIBERIAN , WITHOUT naturalization, can lose his/her Liberian
citizenship since it is on the verge of becoming possible to vote
in some state and local elections in these UNITED STATES with just
a GREEN CARD. In furtherance of highlighting the contradictions and
the loss of Citizenship without naturalization, it is necessary to
draw your attention to Section 20.1B of the Alien and Nationality
Law. According to this section, citizenship by birth extends to "a
person born outside (of) Liberia whose father (i) was born a
citizen of Liberia; (ii) at the time of the birth of such child,
and (iii) has resided in Liberia prior to the birth of such child."
Now, of the three conditions, the last one is interesting given the
history of our nation over the last two decades plus; this is why.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown, two CURRENT Liberians, who were born in
Liberia, had a son (Kofa) while in exile in Ghana. Kofa is a
Liberian by virtue of the laws of Liberia. But because of the war,
Kofa was unable to go to Liberia or establish residency in Liberia
before immigrating to Australia. Now, Kofa, who is seventeen years
old, has a daughter. Based on the construct of Section 20.1B, that
daughter is not a Liberian by birth and, by extension, not a
Liberian at all because her father did not satisfy the third
requirement. This provision directly contradicts Article 28 of the
Liberian Constitution, which states that “Any person, at least one
of whose parents was citizen of Liberia at the time of the person's
birth, shall be a citizen of Liberia…” If Kofa decides to challenge
this law, he has the Late Chief Justice’s argument to back him.
Now, it is common knowledge that constitutional provisions take
precedent over any law/legislation that contradicts those
provisions. Given such, there is a clear need for the repealing of
the Alien and Nationality Law. Sadly, such need will not hold water
with you because you are fully cognizant of the fact that repealing
the Alien and Nationality Law would deal a serious blow to your
ANTI dual citizenship position given the construct of Article 27A
of the Liberian Constitution. Be as it is, we know the argument
continues beyond this article. We also know that despite the
inarguable contradictions, the chances of you recognizing these
constitutional violations are slim because such recognition DOES
NOT serve your interest and argument. But what this article intends
to do is to expose the lack of reconciliation in your defense of
the Constitution and your support of the Alien and Nationality Law.
The reality is we ALL are Liberians; it is a fact that you cannot
deny. We all understand the issues at stake and the risk and
rewards associated with them. We also understand that come what
may, DUAL CITIZENSHIP will become the law of the land. As always,
stay safe and be blessed. Sincerely, Alfred J. Johnson, a staunch
proponent of DUAL CITIZENSHIP
[email protected]
COUNTERING THE CONTRADICTIONS: AN OPEN LETTER TO MR. ABRAHAM D.
DILLON
Page 6 | Frontpage Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Massa F. Kanneh
[email protected] or 0886848625
Monrovia-
The Liberian government is poised to move in on several
individuals
including the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), Mr. Clemenceau Urey,
former Montserrado County Representative Alomiza Ennos Barr and a
host of others the government is accusing of economic sabotage,
bribery and criminal conspiracy. The indictment comes as President
Ellen Johnson prepares to meet U.S leader Barack Obama to forge a
new cooperation on Liberia’s post Ebola recovery efforts. According
to the unsealed indictment obtained by FrontPageAfrica, the Grand
Jurors for the county of Montserrado, Republic of Liberia, upon
oath found more probably than not, that the following officials
were indicted. They include: Clemenceau B. Urey, Sr., former
Chairman, Board of Directors of the National Oil Company of Liberia
(NOCAL), Cllr. Stephen B. Dunbar, Jr., Peter B. Jallah, Jr., D.
Evelyn Kandakai, Albert T. Chie all former members Board of
Directors, NOCAL, Dr. Fodee Kromah, former President/CEO, NOCAL,
Fulton Reeves, Comptroller, NOCAL, Timothy G. Wiaplah, former
Senior Accountant, NOCAL, Alomiza Ennos Barr, former member, 52nd
Legislature and J. Nanborlor F. Singbeh, Sr., Secretary of the
Liberian Senate…” The indictment states that the individuals
committed the crime of Economic Sabotage, a felony of the first
degree in violation of Chapter 15, Subchapter F, Section 15.80(a)
(b)(c)(e) of the New Penal Law of Liberia, Title 26 of the Liberian
Code of Laws. The unsealed indictment states that between the
period May 2006 to May 2007 Urey then Chairman, Board of Directors
of NOCAL and Cllr. Stephen
B. Dunbar, Jr., Peter B. Jallah, Jr., D.Evelyn Kandakai, Albert T.
Chie, all then members Board of Directors, NOCAL, Dr. Kromah,
President/CEO, NOCAL and the other indictees knowingly, willfully,
purposely, intentionally, collude to defraud the Government of
Liberia of US$120,400.00, by engaging themselves into the
solicitation, payment and/ or receipt of money for the alleged
purpose of ratification by the 52nd Legislature of oil contracts
entered into by and between NOCAL and several oil companies. States
the indictment: “That Defendants Clemenceau B. Urey, Sr., then
Chairman, Board of Directors of the National Oil Company of Liberia
(NOCAL), Cllr. Stephen B. Dunbar, Jr., Peter B. Jallah, Jr., D.
Evelyn Kandakai, Albert T. Chie, all then members Board of
Directors, NOCAL, Dr. Fodee Kromah, former President/CEO, NOCAL,
Fulton Reeves, Comptroller, NOCAL, Timothy G. Wiaplah, then Senior
Accountant, NOCAL
authorized, approved, paid and/ or caused to be paid US$50,000
captioned as “lobbying fees” to members of the 52nd Legislature
whose names you the Defendants have deliberately, intentionally,
willfully, and purposely, refused and failed to reveal.” The
unsealed indictment states that Dr. Kromah, Reeves and
Wiaplah, while serving in their individual capacities stated and
for the period from June 2006 up to and including April 5,
2007
approved, paid and caused to be paid US$25,000 and US$15,000
respectively totaling US$40,000 as “lobby fees” to members of the
52nd Legislature for the purpose of ratification of oil contracts.
The indictment notes that the amounts were received by Defendant
Ennos Barr, a former member of the 52nd Legislature
for onward transmission to the 52nd Legislature and she issued
receipts without the approval of the Board of Directors of
NOCAL. “Defendants Urey, Dr. Fodee Kromah, Reeves and Wiaplah in
their respective positions at NOCAL authorized, approved, paid
and/or caused to be paid without the approval of the full board or
the majority thereof, the amount of US$26,900 which they named and
styled as “lobby fees” to members of the 52nd Legislature,” states
the indictment. The unsealed indictment accused the defendants of
refusing to reveal the names of those the monies were paid to at
the time thereby defrauding the Government and creating an
opportunity for others to defraud the Government. States the
Indictment: “That the amounts of US$50,000, US$40,000 and US$26,900
named and styled “lobbying fees” which are mentioned in paragraphs
2, 3, and 4 above, were paid out in the form of three checks in the
name of Co-Defendant Timothy G. Wiaplah, which he claimed he
en-cashed and remitted to his bosses for the payment of “lobby
fees” to members of the 52nd Legislature.” The indictment notes
that though Co-Defendant Kromah denied knowledge of the check of
US$26,900 written in the name of Wiaplah, the check for this amount
bears his signature and that Defendant Singbeh, Sr received from
NOCAL check # 00757917 dated April 1, 2008 for US$2,000 on
voucher/Request # 0426 which purpose is said to be “Ratification
Bill”. States the indictment which is expected to be unsealed today
(Tuesday):“That though you the Defendants individually and/ or
collectively claimed that US$120,400.00, was disbursed, paid and
received by members of the 52nd Legislature as “lobby fees” for the
ratification by the 52nd Legislature of oil contracts entered into
by and between the National Oil Company of Liberia and several oil
companies there is only evidence of receipt of
‘CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY’? INDICTMENT LOOMS IN NOCAL ‘BRIBERY’ SAGA
US$40,000, US$2000, and
US$1500, by Alomiza Barr Ennos, J. Nanbolor F. Singbeh, and James
Kabah respectively, leaving the amount of US$76,900.00 unaccounted
for. The indictment states that the acts of the Defendants are in
violation of Chapter 15, Subchapter F, Section 15.80(a) (b)(c)(e)
of the New Penal Law of Liberia, Title 26 of Liberian Codes which
states that “A person is guilty of a first degree felony, if he:
(a) Knowingly conspires or colludes to defraud the Government of
Liberia; (b) Knowing makes an opportunity for any person to defraud
the Government of Liberia or another; (c) Does or omits to do any
act with intent to enable another to defraud the Government of
Liberia; (d) Demands greater sums than authorized by law or
receives any fee, compensation or reward for the performance of any
duty except compensation from the Government of Liberia. The
indictment further states: “That Defendants Alomiza Ennos Barr,
former member, 52nd Legislature and J. Nanborlor F. Singbeh, Sr.,
Secretary of the Liberian Senate did knowingly, willfully,
purposely, intentionally, and criminally solicit and accept from
the NOCAL management money for the ratification of oil contracts
and did receive US$40,000 and US$2,000 respectively.” “A person has
committed bribery, a second degree felony, if he knowingly offers,
gives or agrees to give to another, or solicits, accepts or agrees
to give to another, or solicits, accepts or agrees to accept from
another, a thing of value as consideration for: (a) The recipient’s
official action as a public servant; or (b) The recipient’s
violation of a known duty as a public servant. It is unclear when
the government to enforce the indictment but a senior official told
FrontPageAfrica Monday that the former officials could be brought
in for inquiry any day now.
Monrovia-
In continuation of the fight against the deadly Ebola virus,
especially with the resumption
of schools, the Monrovia Consolidated School System, a conglomerate
of public schools in collaboration with Lone Star cell MTN
Foundation is currently conducting a three day workshop in Monrovia
on Ebola prevention. Speaking during the start of the workshop, the
Superintendent of the MCSS School system, Benjamin Jacob said the
workshop is aimed at providing training for employees and staffs of
the MCSS to enable
MCSS SCHOOLS GET EBOLA PREVENTION TRAINING
them deal with any possible Ebola related cases. “We are trying to
run safe schools in the midst of Ebola by enlightening teachers,
principals and other administrators. Doctors will be talking about
the preventative methods, to all those people who are in the MCSS
schools” Jacob said. Participants are drawn from MCSS schools and
at the completion of the workshop, they will be aware of what to
do, in a situation where a pupil falls sick on campus. Lone Star
cell MTN chairman, Massaquoi M. Kamara said it has been the
priority of the Lonestar cell MTN to buttress government efforts in
the fight against Ebola. Said Kamara; “We have been very active in
the fight against Ebola. We have made some significant
contributions to the national government but we thought that we
should do
more by providing training for the MCSS Schools since our children
will soon be in school”. According to Kamara, the GSM Company is
spending more than US$8,000 to carry out the training. “MCSS called
upon us and we are aware that the population concentration in
Monrovia is high, and there is a need to make sure that the MCSS
school system is free from Ebola”, Kamara said. Besides the schools
the company said it has made some material donations to the health
sector in continuation of the fight. “We are not going to relent
until we eradicate Ebola from Liberia. We want to make sure that
our children go through a safe school year” he vowed.
FrontpageTuesday, February 24, 2015 Page 7
Stephen D. Kollie,
[email protected]
0776329124
LIBERIAN STAKEHOLDERS DISCUSS DUAL CURRENCY DILEMMA, CALLS MOUNT
FOR DE-DOLLARIZATION
DUAL CURRENCY GLITCH “Buying in US dollars from the importers and
coming to sell in Liberian dollars then at the end of the day you
have to change again to go and
buy, it drops the profit margin. We actually want the government
and those that are in charge to look at this carefully. We are
selling in Liberian dollars and some schools are charging in
Liberian dollars”. Madam Lusu K. Sloan, President, Liberia
Marketing Association.
Monrovia -
Amid increasing challenges facing many Liberians as a consequence
of
the prevailing dual currency regime, a high level roundtable
dialogue gear toward addressing the economic and constitutional
implications of Liberia’s dual currency has taken place in
Monrovia, with calls from several stakeholders for de-
dollarization of the Liberian economy with recommendations for a
single currency system. At the roundtable conference organized by
the Governance Commission in collaboration with the Constitution
Review Committee held at the Monrovia City Hall on Monday, February
23, 2015, discussants brainstormed on several measures that could
lead the post war country transition from a dual currency regime to
the use of the Liberian dollars as the single legal tender.
Expressing his opinion on why the Liberian dollar must be the lone
legal tender, University of Liberia Vice President for Financial
Affairs, Professor Wilson Tarpeh said he believes the Government of
Liberia has over the years marginalized and neglected the Liberian
dollars. Professor Tarpeh told the gathering that the process of
moving to a single currency is not a new argument because it’s
nearly one hundred seventy- eight years since the discussion
started. According to him Liberia must carefully go through the
process of moving from a dual currency to a single currency system
by allowing adequate time to review the process. Said Prof. Tarpeh:
“On that faithful day in 1837, the country council headed by
Governor McGill in the state of Maryland now Maryland County had to
make that decision. The decision was whether to use the silver
Spanish coin or they bring their own money. The vote was
three,
three and Governor McGill broke the vote in favor of a local
currency. The way I think we should go is to go carefully and
careful situation takes a lot of time. So are we suggesting that we
rush? No!” The UL Professor noted that the quest for a single
currency regime must be market driven through a process in which
Government must increase demand for the Liberian dollar and provide
strategic capacity to the Central Bank to ensure that portion of
exports are made available to the Government. For Dr. Mounir
Siaplay, Deputy Minister for Economic Management at the Ministry of
Finance and Development Planning, the process of moving from a dual
currency to single
currency system must be evident based and could crumble the
Liberian economy if not carefully implemented. Said Dr. Siaplay:
“This is not an adhoc exercise and this can crumble your economy
very fast. It can create chaos. We have to also look at the budget
deficit. We also have to stimulate the economy specifically
domestic production in order to put less pressure on the exchange
rate.” Dr. Siaplay revealed that countries that graduated from a
dual currency to a single currency system adopted a market based
approach which looks at the transactional de-dollarization as a
stepping stone to a financial de-dollarization. “It’s a gradual
process and it’s not just a constitutional issue
to just say let it be a single currency. The transactional de-
dollarization takes around four to five years depending on the
micro stability,” he said. For her part, the President of the
Liberia Marketing Association (LMA) said marketers are yearning for
a single currency to be used for all transactions in Liberia due to
the many difficulties they are facing with importers when buying
wholesale products. Madam Lusu K. Sloan narrated that many
marketers are often forced to buy United States dollar at a higher
rate just to buy wholesale products because importers always refuse
to accept Liberian currency for transaction. Said Madam Sloan:
“Buying in
US dollars from the importers and coming to sell in Liberian
dollars then at the end of the day you have to change again to go
and buy, it drops the profit margin. We actually want the
government and those that are in charge to look at this carefully.
We are selling in Liberian dollars and some schools are charging in
Liberian dollars”. Madam Sloan described what she calls ‘danger,’
the perpetual behavior of wholesalers determining the profits of
retailers. ‘”They will tell you how much profit you will make
instead of you knowing how much profit you suppose to make. That is
also dangerous to us. You cannot tell me how much I will have. Let
me know as a business
woman how much money I will earn,” she said. At the same time, the
Chairperson of the Constitution Review Committee Cllr. Gloria Musu-
Scott disclosed that based on several suggestions gathered by the
commission, many Liberians are calling for a single currency
system. Said Cllr. Scott: “They said [that] everybody in Liberia
should be paid in Liberian dollars and the transactions in the
country should be in Liberian dollars. The business people in
Liberia say when the importers bring in their goods, there is no
protection on the margin of their profits.” Meanwhile, the
Chairperson of the Governance Commission Dr. Amos C. Sawyer said
many Liberians feel that the reform agenda has not taken into
consideration their empowerment thus, creating fear and skepticism
about the entire reform process. Speaking about the public sector
reform, Dr. Sawyer noted that some of the people who are opposed to
the public sector reform believe that by streamlining the public
sector, it will render them jobless because they are not sure that
the private sector is providing sufficient space for them. “So
government jobs become an important element to those who may be
resisting the reform initiatives,” he said. The high level
discussion brought together Ministers of the Ministry of Finance
and Development Planning, Commerce and Industry, as well as
officials from the business community, members of the National
Legislature amongst other officials.
‘WE SOMETIMES FAIL FLAT IN IMPLEMENTATION’
-Vice President Boakai concedes Policies shortfall
Monrovia-
Vice President Joseph N. Boakai has admitted that in some instances
good
policies caved by government are not implemented falling short of
achieving the desired objectives. Delivering the closing remarks at
the Deconcentration Platform
launch and local officials orientation workshop in Gbarnga, Bong
County, he said although to weave, design, fashion and plot
strategies, tactics, methods in the theoretical sphere is a
critical thinking but the challenges lies in applying those
strategies to derive anticipated outcomes. The Vice President
conceded that Liberia have had very little
difficulty in showing prowess in implementation of policies. “More
often than not, we have had very little difficulty in showing our
prowess in the construction of nice-sounding and superbly looking
theories, but then falling flat in the sphere of implementation”,
said VP Boakai. This the vice president blamed
Monrovia-
For the 509th time an Ebola survivor has left ELWA3, the Ebola
centre managed by
Médecins Sans Frontières/ Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in
Monrovia. A thirteen years old boy was driven home by a MSF vehicle
on 19 February to be reunited with his big sister and two younger
brothers. “He has been our only confirmed patient for a few weeks.
The entire medical team was caring for him,” said Gloria
Lougon,
head nurse in ELWA3. “All our energy and determination was put into
helping this boy fight the virus and recover.” As the young patient
is a football lover, the team organized the screening of a
legendary football game (Brazil – Germany at the world cup 2014).
Three days later his blood sample finally tested Ebola-negative,
meaning the kid could be brought home. Before leaving ELWA3, the
last survivor left his tiny handprint on the walls to remind
everyone an important message: yes, it is possible to beat
Ebola.
on what he termed distraction, neglect laziness or sheer lack of
commitment. Said VP Boakai “We often get distracted from the main
track, either by neglect, laziness, avarice, or sheer lack of
commitment”. He pledged the commitment of the government in
ensuring that the deconcentration platform becomes a success. “Let
me underscore how firmly this Administration is committed to this
program, undergirding our belief in the correctness and imperative
of taking the Government to the people”, he furthered. According to
the Vice President the government resolve in impacting the
citizenry has no bounds. He further said “This evidences the
firmness of our courage in pursuing courses that go to directly
impacting the citizenry. Our resolve in this regard knows no
bounds. Count on us to always be there whenever you need an extra
push to get over a hurdle. But we give you this responsibility,
accompanied by the authority it demands for its successful
execution”. The Decentration platform is a policy intended to give
more power to local authorities.
509TH PATIENT RECOVERED FROM EBOLA IN ELWA 3
Page 8 | Frontpage Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Bettie Johnson /
[email protected]
Monrovia-
The trail has commenced at the Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of
Justice involving a
female employee assigned at the Gardnerville Branch of the Liberia
.Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI) barely four years after
her indictment. Defendant Magarette Dorbor an Account Officer at
the bank’s local branch was indicted by state lawyers on three
-count in 2011 after the bank’s management accused her in 2010 of
allegedly stealing over L$147,000.00 deposited on behalf of a local
saving organization- the Gardnerville People Club. She faces
charges of theft of property, forgery and counterfeiting but denied
the claim during a brief appearance in court late 2011 where she
pleaded not guilty to the charges. “I am not guilty” said defendant
Dorbor shortly after the Clerk of the Court read the indictment
before the panel of jurors, a statement that means that she is
challenging the state to prove its case against the accused. The
indictment against defendant Dorbor stated that the period between
January to-December 2010 she allegedly stole the money from various
customers’ accounts in currencies including United States and
Liberian dollars. According to the indictment one of those
customers from whom the defendant allegedly stole the money was the
Gardnerville Savings Club with the account number #009LR40870017101
and that said saving club had in its previous account LD$70,000.00
balance when on November 19&24, 2010 surrendered to the
defendant LD$56,000.00 and LD$ 21,000.00 respectively
for deposit of which the total amount became LD$147,000.00 as
recorded in the club’s saving bank book by the defendant. In the
indictment, the State further alleged that the balance of
LD$147,000.00 appeared in the saving book of the club but did not
appear on the account of the Gardnerville Saving Club in the system
of the LBDI. The indictment further states that when this was
discovered
the defendant allegedly went ahead to refund US$1,000 for the
LD$70,000.00 withdrawn with receipt issued to her by the bank
leaving the balance of LD$77,000.00. According to the indictment
the Management of the LBDI further observed that the defendant did
not only steal from the Gardnerville Savings Club but from other
customers’ accounts as well as to include the following
Liberian dollars accounts,(a) 009LRD40180843701,
(b)009LRD47170008601, (C) 009LRD401180861901 (d)009LRD40120041602,
$ 009LRD40180851601. Amid defendant’s Dorbor denial of the charges,
the state’s second witness is expected to take the stand on Monday
in continuation of the trial. Francis Juma told the court and jury
that the defendant was
Kennedy L. Yangian
[email protected]
0777296781
Defendant leaves court with lawyer
employed at the bank in the capacity as new Account Officer
assigned to the bank’s local branch in Gardnerville. In his general
testimony, witness Juma said that the defendant’s responsibility
was to open potential customers account and assist to verify
tellers’ work at the end of the day and as a new account officer
her job was not a teller. Witness Juma also stated that on December
7, 2010 in keeping with the bank’s line of duty there was a
complaint from the Officer In-Charge (OIC) at the Gardnerville
Branch Debbeh Blakson that there was some foul play in the
Gardnerville Saving Club deposit and there was a need for the
Internal Control and Risk Management to verify the claim. He stated
it was observed that defendant Magarette Dorbor was the one that
signed the deposit of LD$56,000.00 as well as 21,000.00 by the
Gardnerville Saving Club. “By way of the bank’s policy every staff
except senior and executive managers, all other staffs signed the
attendance log, in that log we traced it and
Monrovia-
Sylvester Tarpeh Davis, 30 was seen Monday at Criminal Court B’ in
tears when the
indictment on charges of murder was read to him by the clerk of
court. The suspect was indicted for murder by the grand jurors for
Montserrado County on 8 counts. When the indictment was read, the
suspect pleaded guilty and requested the court not to proceed with
the trial on grounds that the indictment was right, admitting that
he committed the act. But the presiding judge of criminal Court B’
Roosevelt Willie said the case will proceed based on the
constitutional right of all as granted by the Liberian constitution
that calls for trial if one pleads guilty or not. ”Under our
criminal procedure law section 16.2, it states that if the
defendant may plead guilty or not guilty but set on a capital
offence or caption of the case; Although the word may as used
herein in this section also grants the court discretion and it is
left with the Prosecution to prove the guiltiness of the suspect”,
Judge Willie said
realized that it was the signature of defendant Magarette Dorbor”
said witness Juma when he was questioned by the defense lawyer as
to how he established that the signature belongs to the defendant.
Also in his testimony witness Juma indicated that in the process of
taking inventory at the desk of the defendant it was discovered
that a sizeable carton with a bag popularly known as ‘Ghana must go
bag’ was under the desk of the defendant. Witness Juma continued
that in the carton there was a black plastic bag and some
withdrawal slips and while turning the carton upside down an amount
of LD$23,715.00 in various denominations was discovered along with
counterfeit value US$20,000,00. The witness further narrated that
when the defendant was asked on the status of the two currencies
she indicated that the LD$ currencies were given by someone to
exchange into bigger denominations of Liberian dollars banknotes
denied having knowledge of the counterfeit currency under her desk.
Meanwhile the court adjourned the case to resume Tuesday at 8:00
a.m. where witness Juma will continue his testimony to be followed
by cross examination.
‘I AM GUILTY’
Judge Willie Continued “By order of the organic law of the land
which is the constitution of Liberia in article 20A provides that
No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, security of the
person, property, privilege or any other right except as the
outcome of a hearing judgment consistent with the provisions laid
down in this Constitution and in accordance with due process of
law. Justice shall be done without sale, denial or delay; and in
all cases not arising in courts not of record, under courts martial
and upon impeachment, the parties shall have the right to trial by
jury”. The trial Monday at the court
brought together family members of the deceased and sympathizers
among others. During the juror selection for the trial proceeding,
three jurors were denied from presiding on the panel based on
information provided the lawyers in the case. The defense team is
represented by Cllr. Elijah Cheapoo, James Flomo and Atty. Edwina
Edjerah Barchue, while the Prosecution includes Cllr. Serena
Garlawolu, Atty. Arthurlyne Cooper, Atty. Lafayette Gould and Atty.
Abraham Mitchell. Prosecution first witness on the direct, Col.
Jerry Whymah of the Crime Scene Division of the Liberia National
police said
Lover Killer Admits to Murder
he was one of the investigators on the crime scene at where the
suspect committed the act. Inspector Whymah narrated “November 30,
2014 which was on Sunday, we were informed that a decomposed body
was discovered in his (Suspect) father house adjacent his (suspect)
room; based upon this we went to where the body was discovered
which is Clara town Paity town community; when we got on the scene
a decomposed body to be identified as Sianneh Tipayson was seen
folded in a blue barrel in the unfinished room. “However, we did
what we called physical examination and also found witnesses to
tell us what has happened ; from our investigation we got the
information that the deceased boyfriend Sylvester Tarpeh Davis and
the suspect mother’s uncle by the name of one Kortu and two little
children were left at the house and we also discovered that the
uncle Kortu who was very sick and has taken Amodiquine overheard
the deceased and the suspect arguing out of the sudden he could not
see the deceased and that of the boyfriend”, he said. The Police
witness in the trial further said that investigation on the scene
revealed that the two children were sent on the main road to buy
bread (rice kalla), which the defendant used to harm the victim. He
said after the suspect committed the act he fled the house and area
and was later picked up in Grand Cape Mount County after security
tip off.
“During that time a search was done to find the boyfriend, we
carried on a massive search from Sunday Nov 30 to Dec 7, 2014
information came that the boyfriend was in Grand Cape Mount county
in Sinje. We found him hiding under a bed in Damba and Sandee, he
was arrested brought into Monrovia on Dec7, 2014 and on the 8th of
December he was brought out and given his constitutional right and
Atty. Jallah Zumo represented the suspect”, Col. Whymah narrated.
Work of Devil Prosecution witness also revealed that during
investigation, suspect Tarpeh Davies told investigators that the
act committed was done through the work of the devil and he should
be forgiven. “He (suspect) said that he was used by the devil to
kill the girl and put her in the barrel.” During Cross examination
by defense council he was questioned if his investigation
established the cause of death on ground that the indictment
attributed the death of the victim to a stick striking the neck of
the victim and another report stating that the victim was choked to
death. Responding to defense question, the LNP investigator said he
was not the author of the indictment and he could not speak to what
was written but told the court that the suspect told them during
investigation that he (suspect) hit the victim on her neck with a
stick and later choked her and placed her in the barrel in the room
with the hope that no one would see.
Inspector Whymah said his testimony was in affirmative to the
indictment against the defendant. The defense also questioned the
LNP investigator on distinguishing the barrel that the victim was
placed in from other barrels around and he said “As you can see
this barrel can be distinguished from other barrels by looking at
the splitting mark that we put on it, this barrel was split
carefully to have chance to remove the victim/deceased from in it”.
Most of the defense questions were objected to by the Prosecution
on grounds that the questions were irrelevant and immaterial to
pose to the witness. Meanwhile, the presiding judge granted an
application filed by Prosecution who prayed the court to allow
their witness to present his identity to the court. The request of
the prosecution followed a question posed to the witness by the
defense team to present his identity to prove that he is an officer
of the Liberia National Police. “Mr. Witness if you say you are an
employee of the Liberia National Police can you present your
identity to the court and the jury to show that you work with
them?” But in reply, Inspector Whymah said he did not have his
identification card and had left it in his office. The trial is
expected to resume today at Criminal Court A’ at the Temple of
justice.
FrontpageTuesday, February 24, 2015 Page 9
Massa F. Kanneh
[email protected] or 0886848625
THE SONPON, FREEMAN, GIBSON, STUBBLEFIELD, GREAVES & RANDALL
FAMILIES ANNOUNCE THE FUNERAL
ARRANGEMENTS OF THEIR DAUGHTER, MS.THEOLINE CRYSTAL SONPON WHO DIED
ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2015
AT 12:25A.M. AT SOS CLINIC IN CONGO TOWN.
ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 AT 4P.M. HER BODY WILL BE REMOVED FROM
THE SAMUEL STRYKER FUNERAL PARLORS
TO THE ST. THOMAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH ON CAMP JOHNSON ROAD FOR WAKE
KEEPING FROM 6P.M. TO 9P.M.
AFTER THE CHURCH WAKE THERE WILL BE A SILENT WAKE AT HER HOME ON
CALDWELL ROAD NEAR THE CALDWELL
BRIDGE FROM 10P.M. ON THE 27TH TO 6AM ON THE 28TH. FUNERAL SERVICES
WILL BE HELD ON THE 28TH OF FEBRUARY AT 10A.M. AT THE ST. THOMAS
EPISCOPAL
CHURCH ON CAMP JOHNSON ROAD AND THE INTERNMENT WILL FOLLOW AT THE
BREWERVILLE CEMETERY.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WAS BROUGHT IN BY HER MOTHER, CLLR. CHRISTINE
SONPON FREEMAN, HER GRANDMOTHER,
MRS. ANGELINE GIBSON SONPON AND HER AUNT, ADELINE N. SONPON FOR THE
FAMILY.
DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT
February 14, 2015
SURVEY NOTICE The Public in General is hereby informed that by the
order of Hon. C. Fahnlon King, Sr. Land Commissioner, Bong County,
the undersigned registered Public and Private Land Surveyor, Mr.
Roland Banda has been ordered to conduct a re-survey of five
hundred (500) acres of land commencing from the South- Eastern
corner of Nathaniel B. Massaquoi, Property on the left hand side of
Melekie-Phebe Highway, Jorquelleh District, Bong County in favor of
Mr. Lloud E. Goll. The said survey will commence on Friday, 27 of
February A.D. 2015 at 10:00AM.
Therefore, anyone having claims/deeds, diagrams or tribal
certificate in this area adjacent, Parallel or opposite this
property are requested to be present with their deeds/diagrams
along with their technical representatives to substantiate their
claims to avoid any form or encroachment.
This notice goes to the following personalities: Government
official
Hon. Clan Chief – Melekie Hon. Town Chief – Melekie Chief Elders –
Melekie Town Hon. Paramount Chief – Mary Latai Hon. District
Commissioner – Edward Yarkpawolo Hon. City Mayor – Gbarnga
City
Republic of Liberia Office of the Registered Public Land
Surveyor
Gbarnga City, Bong County
Adjacent Parties
The Dahn Family Nathaniel B. Massaquoi Francis Tiabo Family Jalabah
Family Morris Dowah Family
Signed Roland M. Banda Registered Public Land Surveyor, Bong
County
Monrovia-
Residents in the swampy Plank Field Community in Battery Factory
said
they have been forcefully evicted from their homes and they lack
money to defend themselves in court. “The government is using this
woman to evict us, because the president told us in 2009 that the
land belongs to government, so how come an individual will just
come to claim it” Serina David an affected resident told
FrontPageAfrica. According to residents, on Friday February 20,
group of armed officers from the Liberian National Police special
unit-the Police Support Unit (PSU) and some unidentified men moved
into the community to forcefully evict them from their homes.
Serina said since 2009 she and her families settled in the area and
got spots, which she explained that she and other residents have
worked tirelessly to dry, dumping dirt to get rid of the water. She
said on Friday, about thirty armed PSU and some group of men
arrived in the community and started breaking their homes throwing
out their personal belongings, something they said has left more
than 4,000 residents homeless. “We had nowhere to go yesterday, we
slept in an opened place, and they destroyed our things, and it
should not have been that way. They broke our doors, threw our
things outside and started bursting the place” Serina said. Serina
told FrontPageAfrica, that a lady-Massa Coffy is claiming that that
the place was given to her by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to
establish a market ground. The residents said the lady started
giving out land to people and that is how they got spots to build
their houses. Serina narrated that the lady who claimed she owns
the land said she got authorization from the court to evict them.
“We are all aware that swamp land belongs to government, maybe the
government is using her to move us because we have heard that a
Chinese company wants to take the place” she added. Said Serina;
“Initially the lady has been going to court and the community
dwellers did not have anyone to represent us and
the lady that gave us this place, did not even speak for us, and
this is how the woman grew edge over us”. Serina said she is
pleading with well-meaning Liberians and other institutions to come
to their aid. “There are about 5,000 residents,
including women and children. And we are asking government entity,
private entity and the international community to come to our aid
because we have been made homeless”. Ibrahim Diallo who also has a
concrete house in the area that he said is worth more than
US$20,000, said it is sad to see Liberians suffering in their own
home like what he saw when they were thrown out of their homes. He
said last week some officers from the court visited the place
informing residents that the place belongs to a lady. “Yesterday,
what I saw, I almost cried, the people came with yellow machine and
started breaking the poor people homes, it was really sad”, Diallo
said. “I want to tell the government
to look into this matter and tell us who owns the land, if that the
woman we can buy the land or she give us time to leave. I know if
it is the government it will not treat the people like this, the
government will tell the people the time to move or even settle us
to move different place” Diallo
added. Francis Carmoh, Secretary General for the plank dwellers in
the affected community said he is in sympathy with the community.
He said they are not sitting and are working out modality with the
court, the area lawmaker and the Justice Ministry to put halt to
the demolition and said fortunately there has been stay order on
the process. “But my concern has to do with the claiming of swamp
land, if you say you own the land, you let the people to buy the
place, dried the place, you didn’t come out to speak, after the
people have fully settled you are now claiming the area. And my
understanding, is that swampland belongs to government” Carmoh
said. Carmoh said government is only
protecting one side which is the woman claiming that the land
belongs to her, adding that it is not supposed to be so and that
the government should provide protection for the both side”
Landowner claims property Roseline Toe who is claiming ownership of
the four acre of land in the area told FrontPageAfrica that since
three years ago, she had been informing the occupants on the land
to move but they have played deaf ears. She said after so many
requests the residents have refused to leave her land prompting her
to go to the court at which time she was granted the right to evict
the dwellers on the land. She said based on the refusal from the
occupants of the land, she decided to go to the Civil Law court and
it is the court that is carrying out the eviction. According to
Mother Toe she bought the land from one Joe Young since 2006 due to
the encroachment on her land and she decided to build two zinc
structures but the residents broke it down. On the 10th of
February, when she attempted the first demolition, Roseline said
heavy tension mounted resulting in the death of a Nigerian
national. According to her the day after the death of the Nigerian
national another lady, Mother Toe home got attacked and her husband
was badly injured in the head with several properties were damaged
She explained that Toe’s home is currently being guarded by LNP
officers because she fears attack. “They attacked my home for land
business, I really scared now, the police will leave, when the
police leave I don’t know what they will do next” said
Roseline
FORCEFUL EVICTION leaves thousands homeless in Battery Factory
Community
Page 10 |Frontpage Tuesday, February 24, 2015
NIGERIAN PRESIDENT ADMITS HE UNDERESTIMATED BOKO HARAM
BANGKOK POLICE DETAIN THREE OVER STREET
DEMONSTRATION
BANGKOK (Reuters) -
Thai police arrested three people on the streets of the capital on
Sunday after they held a small
gathering to "exchange views" with the country's military junta.
Thailand's military has severely restricted public gatherings since
seizing power in a coup last May. Taking a hard line on dissent, it
has detained more than 300 people, including activists, journalists
and politicians. The leader of a group of four people, Akkarakit
Noonchan, was dragged away by plainclothes officers shortly after
the beginning of the event at Bangkok's downtown Victory Monument,
according to a Reuters witness. Akkarakit told reporters that the
group, calling itself Serichon Thailand 58, did not intend the
gathering to be a protest.
REBELS ORDER WEAPONS PULL-BACK AS UKRAINE SAY ARMOR ARRIVING
KERRY AND IRAN'S ZARIF TO TRY NARROW GAPS
IN NUCLEAR TALKS
NIZHNYAYA KRYNKA, Ukraine (Reuters) -
Pro-Moscow rebels said they would start to withdraw heavy weapons
from the front line in
eastern Ukraine on Sunday but the government in Kiev said armored
columns had crossed the border from Russia to reinforce the
separatists. The Ukrainian military said the rebels were pressing
on with attacks on government forces near Mariupol, a port in
government hands that is seen as the rebels' next major target.
Spokesman Andriy Lysenko said a military train carrying 60 armored
vehicles including tanks had arrived in the town of Amvrosiivka
from Russia on Saturday. A convoy of military equipment had later
crossed the border near Novoazovsk, east of Mariupol on the Sea of
Azov.
GENEVA (Reuters) -
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart
Mohammad Javad
Zarif will try to narrow gaps in another round of nuclear talks in
Geneva on Sunday as they press to meet a March 31 deadline for a
political framework agreement. The talks will be joined for the
first time by U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, who agreed to
attend after Iran's nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said he would
take part. A close aide and the brother of Iranian President Hassan
Rouhani, Hossein Fereydoon, will also be part of the meetings,
Iranian media reported. Kerry was due to arrive in Geneva in the
early afternoon, then immediately meet with the U.S. delegation,
which has been in Geneva since Friday. After that he planned to
meet Zarif and the Iranian delegation.
IN BRIEF FRONT PAGE WORLD NEWS
CAN STRONGMAN BUHARI MEND A BROKEN NIGERIA?
According to a recent poll, an equal number of Nigerian
voters—41%—fell
on either side of the debate surrounding the postponement of
presidential elections. It is perhaps no coincidence that those
numbers almost perfectly overlap with the results of a December
2014 presidential voting survey, in which each of the two main
parties racked up 42% of the total tally. By a rule of thumb,
supporters of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and
president Goodluck Jonathan backed the postponement, while those of
the All Progressives Congress (APC), the main opposition party,
opposed it. The opposition’s candidate is Muhammadu Buhari, a
former military ruler, and three-time presidential contender, who
has since his emergence undergone what is arguably the most
impressive political rebranding in the history of Nigeria. A man
once given exclusively tobabarigas—traditional dress favored by
Hausa-Fulani men from northern Nigeria— now poses for photographs
bow-tied and besuited, or in the traditional outfits of
southeastern Nigeria and the oil-rich Niger delta, regions in which
he has consistently recorded meager votes in his three previous
attempts at the presidency. Buhari and his supporters insist that
the PDP forced the postponement to undermine the APC’s
unprecedented momentum, and to buy more time to work out a way of
rigging an election it looks set to lose. The PDP has denied those
allegations, focusing instead on querying the preparedness level of
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). By all
accounts, the INEC has not lived up to its responsibility. Going by
several indices (distribution of biometric voter-cards,
accreditation of observers, training of election personnel) the
preparations have been shoddy, and a February 14 election, had it
gone ahead, would have been—not uncharacteristically, it must be
said—chaotic. The PDP is also increasingly
voicing its opposition to the planned deployment of handheld
card-readers that the INEC wants to experiment with during the
coming elections. The fingerprint technology on which the card
readers are based is designed to produce greater transparency in
the elections by ensuring that no one is able to vote more than
once. (One of the commonest of conventional voter-fraud methods in
Nigeria has been through the mass thumb- printing of ballot
papers.) On the surface, the PDP’s argument is that the card
readers are untested, and that it would be imprudent to attempt an
experiment using the all-important presidential election as a
catalyst. The actual reason, in my opinion, is not far-fetched: by
insisting on the use of non-biometric cards, the PDP will be able
to throw open the elections for the sort of rigging that earned it
landslide victories in the last four presidential elections.
Between insisting on the use of card-readers and biometric cards,
and that the rescheduled elections must on no account be postponed
again, the APC has its hands full. If it wins these two battles,
its chances of forming the next central government are
significant.
The party, a merger of Nigeria’s three leading opposition parties,
has been fighting against-all- odds battles even before it was
formally registered by the electoral commission in July of 2013.
The first hurdle was a court case by an organization— presumably
sponsored by the PDP—that called itself the African People’s
Congress and laid claim to the “APC” acronym, insisting it had
filed for registration as a political party before the All
Progressives Congress. Having been registered, the APC wasted no
time firming up its position, attracting a raft of high profile
defectors— including five governors— from the ruling party. The
PDP, sufficiently jolted, let go of Bamanga Tukur, the divisive
chairman under whose watch the defections happened, and replaced
him with Adamu Mu’azu, a former governor with a knack for political
strategy. The next big hurdle for the APC was the selection of
presidential and vice presidential candidates. Considering its
origins as a coalition of disparate political movements, it seemed
unlikely that it would manage the process of selecting flag-
bearers that everyone felt were
the lives of more than 4,000 persons; and more than 1.5 million
Nigerians have been displaced as a result. Around October of last
year, at a time when Boko Haram was stepping up its attacks and
seizing increasingly larger swathes of territory, the naira began
to slump, thanks to crashing oil prices. If Boko Haram was mainly
affecting people in the country’s remote northeastern region, the
devaluing naira took its own fight straight to the economic
heartlands of the country— the southern c