Hundreds of supporters of Lofa County Senator Elect Brownie Samukai over the weekend turnout in their numbers to welcome him to the county days after the Supreme Court of Liberia halted is certification.
Speaking in Zorzor, Lofa county the former Defense Minister extolled the people of Lofa for the support shown him throughout his legal battle and promised that they will feel his leadership when he certificated as Senator.
Samukai is visiting Lofa for the first time since February and since Friday August 21,2021 ruling by the Supreme Court of Liberia which mandated to him to satisfy his disability at Criminal Court “C”.
Mammoth crowd of his supporters gathered in town, and cities across the county to welcome him in what appears to be the reaffirmation of their support to him as their senator elect.
He called on the people of Lofa to remain calm and committed as he is doing everything legally possible to ensure that the matter is brought to a logical conclusion.
Samukai a former security officer with the United Nations, initially with The United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor, told his kinsman that there was nothing to worry about as he will respect the directive of the Supreme Court .
The former Defense Minister revealed that the 50% of the money paid was raised by the people of Lofa home and abroad, supporters in Nimba and abroad noting that not a dam came from his pocket.
According to him, people who have known him over the years and believe in what he stands for as a leader made substantive contribution to the payment.
Samukai mentioned that as leader he is not border with the negative views from some people regarding his situation, as is concern with providing the quality of leadership Lofa deserves.
Samukai noted that his visit to county was to appeal to the people of Lofa to continue their support until he become their senator as voiced out on December 20, 2020 through their votes.
He mentioned that Lofa will feel the value of leadership it has yearn for at the Liberian Senate when the entire legal issue is resolved.
The Lofa County Senator Elect at the same time asserted that it was completely unthinkable for anyone to be dreaming of a by-election in the county and urged politicians and people with such thought to redirect their resources to things that will have greater benefit on their lives.
Samukai legal battle
In March 2020 Judge Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay of Criminal Court ‘C’ in found Samukai and two of his co-defendants, Joseph P. Johnson, former Deputy Minister for Administration and James Nyumah Dorkor, former Comptroller of the Ministry of Defense guilty for misapplying money belonging to the personnel of the Armed Forces of
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 the Supreme Court of Liberia in February 2021 upheld the lower court’s ruling against Senator-elect J. Brownie Samukai and his two other co-appellants with a little modification.
Reading the 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.
The Supreme Court noted that the three men were equally guilty of the crimes and shall serve the same punishment, and should pay 50% of the total amount in six months or to jail for two years.
A though path to victory in 2020
Ahead of the 2020 midterm election two citizens of the county took issue with Samukai at the Supreme Court, praying the court to stop him from contesting given that was already convicted by Criminal “C” for criminal offense.
The petition led to serious debate in the county between Samukai opponents and supporters.
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
Samukai victory was again contested by some Lofians who argued that there were electoral fraud at some polling places, but case was dismissed by the Supreme Court on grounds that their complain did not merit rerun of the election in the Lofa.
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 Simeon Freeman 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 on Tuesday June 8, 2021 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.
Justice Nagbe decision was upheld by the Court with four of its five members bench agreeing to halt Mr. Samukai’s certification until his disability is satisfy.
The court however dismissed the petition filled by Mr. Freeman on grounds he lacks the legal standings to fill such petition.
Across Lofa, there is growing eagerness among the citizens to see their Senator elect certificated and speak on their behalf, but as to when that will happen it is still a process to watch out for.
