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, rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com  
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 – keitaabrahamvi@gmail.com
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 keitaabrahamvi@gmail.com and keita21a@yahoo.com
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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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 jahcalvin@yahoo.com
COUNTERING THE CONTRADICTIONS: AN OPEN LETTER TO MR. ABRAHAM D. DILLON
Page 6 | Frontpage Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Massa F. Kanneh masskanneh@yahoo.com 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, Stephen.kollie@frontpageafricaonline.com 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 /betty.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com
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 kennedylyangian@frontpageafricaonline.com 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 masskanneh@yahoo.com 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