Supporters and Friends of Lofa County Senator Elect Brownie Samukai on Thursday August 19, 2021 completed the payment of Mr. Samukai 50% portion of the US$ 1.1 million Armed Forces of Liberia Money he and two others misapplied as order the by the Supreme Court of Liberia in its February 2021 ruling.
The group on Thursday presented US$173,276.05 Criminal Court “C” which brings to total US$ 191,276 paid by the former Defense Minister haven’t paid US$18,000 few months back.
The payment of the money comes as a surprise to many after the former Defense Minister wrote the Court asking for the time to pay the money citing COVID-19 as reason for his request.
But speaking after the presentation of the amount Thursday the National Coordinator for the friends of Samukai, Abass Mark Biaty told reporters at the grounds of the Temple of Justice that the money was raised by Lofaians in and out of Liberians a well as people who believe in Mr. Samaukai.
Mr. Biaty noted that they are aware that the case against Samukai is politically motivated, but the payment in fulfillment of the mandate of the court.
The friends of Samukai national coordinator mentioned that he was not worried about the certification of the Lofa County Senator Elect indicating that the people of Lofa have spoken and under no circumstances their decision can be ignored.
Biaty asserted that those calling for by-elections in Lofa are bunch of losers who lacks the ability to win any election in the county.
History of the of the payment
In March 2020 Judge Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay of Criminal Court ‘C’ found Samukai and his co-defendants, Joseph P. Johnson, former Deputy Minister for Administration and James Nyumah Dorkor, former Comptroller of the Ministry of Defense guilty of the crimes of theft of property, misuse of public money and criminal conspiracy and awarded them separate prison terms. Mr. Samukai was given a higher two-year prison sentence, while his co-defendants were given six months jail terms each but with a condition that their sentences shall be suspended
if they all restitute the amount of US$1.1 million in question over a one-year period.
But the Defendants took appeal at the Supreme Court and they (serving now as appellants), justified that they acted in line with the Constitution and relevant laws. They claimed that they acted on the orders of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to procure materials and render other services for the soldiers.
They claimed that US$50,000 was paid on the instruction of former President Sirleaf as death benefits to the families of the late General Abdurrahman, the Nigerian army officials who served as the first post war first Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia.
They argued that President George Weah was also briefed about the expenditure of the fund and an agreement was reached between him and Sirleaf for the Government to repay the AFL fund, adding that it was based on this commitment that President Weah ordered an initial payment of US$460,000.
But Supreme Court of Liberia upheld the lower court’s ruling against Senator-elect J. Brownie Samukai and others and sentenced them to two years in prison each for misapplication of US$1.1 million intended for the Armed Forces of Liberia.
Reading the four to one opinion of the High Court, Associate Justice Yousif D. Kabah said the court did not find substantive evidence that Mr. Samukai and his co-appellants were authorized by the former President. But assuming they were given authorization, they should have declined because the action was against the law.
Samukai won political battle
Ahead of the 2020 midterm election there were debates in Lofa that Mr. Samukai that would not appear on the ballot giving his legal battle at the Supreme Court.
But Samukai was clear by the court to contest the election and went on to win massively obtaining 20,431 votes with his nearest rival Joseph Kpator Jallah collecting 13,968
He won an election fraud case brought against him by some citizens of the Lofa at the Supreme Court.
Just days before his certification the government filed a petition before the Supreme Court to halt his certification on grounds that he is yet to meet his liability.
Movement for Progressive Change Political Leader also prayed to the court to stop the Lofa Senator Elect from tacking his seat on grounds that he is a convict.
Supreme Court Justice Joseph Nagbe granted the Government of Liberia’s request and ordered the clerk of the court to issue the peremptory writ of prohibition, send a mandate to the first respondent, NEC, disallowing the certification of the second respondent J. Brownie Samukai, Jr., until his disability imposed on him by his conviction is removed according to law. And is here by ordered.
Now that the 50% is paid all eyes once again turn to the supreme Court regarding Samukai fate.
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