By Edward Kollie|LPR News Monrovia
The solidarity movement of the embattled Lofa County Senator Elect Brownie Jeffery Samukai Tuesday presented US$10,000 check to lawyers representing the legal interest of the former defense Minister for onward presentation to the Ministry of defense.
The US$10 constitute part payment of US$382,552.116 that the Supreme Court ordered the Senator elect Samukai to restitute out of US$ 1,147,656.35 they have been indicted of stealing.
Former Defense Minister Samukai along with his two former deputies Joseph F. Johnson Deputy for Administration and J. Nyumah Dorkor former Controller were found guilty by Criminal Court C at the Temple of Justice in March 2020 for “misuse of public money, theft of property, and criminal conspiracy”. They were however acquitted of economic sabotage.
The three men were asked to restitute the amount of US$687,656.36 misapplied from the AFL pension saving account and 460, 0000 to the government of Liberia Account amounting to US$ 1,147,656.35.
The Court however instructed that failure on the apart of the former Minister Samukai and his associated to pay back the money they would go to jail for two years.
The ruling was upheld by the Supreme Court with modification that 50% of the amount be paid in 6 months after an appeal filed by Samuaki was heard.
Samukai is to pay US$382,552.116 as his share of the US$ 1,147,656.35 they misapplied.
Addressing reporter in Monrovia Tuesday March 23, 2021, the chairman of the Brownie Samukai Solidarity Movement, former Lofa County Superintendent Galakpa Worzi Kortimai noted the movement was not against the decision of the Supreme Court but their quest to help restitute the money is based on the confidence they have in Mr. Samukai.
Former Superintendent Kortimai indicated that though the Supreme Court is the final abuttal of justice,they are convinced that the Senator Elect Samukai was not wrong to take instruction from his boss former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to use the fund.
The former Unity Party Stalwart indicated in comings more money will be paid as instructed by the court as a sign of respect for the rule of law.
He said the county was bleeding due to the absence of the Senator Elect from the Senate and urged the National Elections Commission to adhere to Supreme Court ruling to certificate Mr. Samukai as winner of the December 8 midterm election in Lofa County.
The NEC he indicated has lost its independence noting that NEC failure to adjudicate matters emanating from the December 8, 2020 polls signal a big trouble in 2023 and warned the opposition to take cue of the current failure at the National Elections Commission.
The Onetime 2014 Lofa County Senator Candidate noted those raising issues with them regarding their decision to pay when the county was lacking basic social services have their right to do so but mentioned that when certificated the Senator Elect will champion massive development in Lofa especially the rehabilitation of the Lofa road.
Senator Elect Brownie Jeffry Samukai certification as since come to a standstill at the National Elections Commission after Justice in Chambers Joseph Nagbe placed rite of prohibition on his certification prayed for by Movement for Progressive Chang Political Leader Simon Freeman.
Freeman argue Mr. argued that the former Defense Minister as a convicted criminal is not fit to occupy public office until he serves his sentence as mentioned in the panel code of Liberia.
Report say the full bench of the court will deliver ruling into the matter Wednesday March 24, 2021.
