Monrovia — The Minister of Justice Cllr. Frank Musah Dean has written the National Elections Commission (NEC) requesting the halt in the certification of Brownie Samukai, in another blow to the Lofa County Senator-elect.
The Supreme Court a fortnight ago affirmed the verdict of the lower court convicting the Lofa County Senator-elect and two others to two years imprisonment or restitution of US$1.4 million.
Cllr Dean, in a letter addressed to NEC’s chairperson Davidetta Brown-Lasanah, said any person convicted of a felony, committed in connection with his employment as a public servant is disqualified from holding public office until the sentence is served.
“Herewith, inform you of the attached final Judgment of the Supreme Court Of Liberia, affirming the judgment of guilty against Messer Brownie Samukai , Joseph J. Johnson , Myumah , Dorko for the commission of the crimes of Theft Property, misuse public money, and criminal conspiracy,” Cllr. Dean said in a letter.
Dean’s letter comes exactly a week after he told the Senate plenary that he knew nothing about a letter written by Solicitor General, Cllr. Syrenius Cephas in which he mandated NEC to halt the certification of Samukai until he restitutes the amount of US$1.4 million.
“You will recall that prior to the December 8, 2020 Special Senatorial elections, Mr. Samukai was found guilty by the lower court along with his co-conspirators for the same crimes. But took and appeal to the Honorable Supreme Court of Liberia, which automatically stayed the enforcement of the convicted judgement,” Cllr Cephas wrote the NEC,” he said
Continuing, he added: “Therefore, the recent judgement by the Supreme Court of Liberia is not a novelty, and didn’t depart from the holding of the lower court’s judgement; which means Samukai together with his co-conspirators has been felon from the date the lower rendered judgement.”
“Accordingly, since the guilty judgement is the law controlling, and constitutes a finality of the matter, and by law is not appealable in this jurisdiction, it is considered my opinion that it will be inarguable allay any and all concerns that may arise, and you will therefore proceed not to certificate him.”
Calling for NEC’s Independence
Meanwhile, a group of people under the banner, Citizen Movement in Solidarity with Bownie Samukai staged a mass gathering at the national headquarters of the National Elections Commission (NEC) demanding the certification of Mr. Samukai.
The group, predominately comprising of citizens of Lofa County, gathered in their numbers with […]
