FLASHBACK: Former Defense Min. and Senator-elect Brownie Samukai (in red necktie) leaving the court
By Tokpa Tarnue, tarnue82@gmail.com
A group of citizens from the north-western Lofa has written a communication to the Plenary of the Senate to declare the Senatorial seat of their County vacant.
Former Defense Minister Samukai and his two former deputies were convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment by the Criminal Court “C” for stealing well over one million US dollars welfare funds belonging to soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) during the government of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
On August 20, 2021, the Full Bench of the Supreme Court of Liberia today, Friday ruled that Brownie Samukai cannot be certificated by the National Elections Commission (NEC) as Senator-elect of Lofa County, unless and until he clears his “disability” in fulfillment of the court’s order.
Recently on January 27, 2022, the Supreme Court of Liberia revoked the two years suspended jail sentence by the lower court (Criminal Court “C”) for the former Defense Minister Samukai’s failure 50% of the money stolen.
Under the banner, “Concerned Citizens and Registered Voters of Lofa”, the Lofians in their latest communication acknowledged that based on the recent opinion of the Supreme County of Liberia, Browine J. Samukai, the declared winner of the Lofa County Special Senatorial election, the said Court has virtually rendered the winner incapable and disable to occupy said seat for and on behalf of the County.
The concerned Lofa citizens furthered indicated that since Senator-elect Samukai is convicted and ordered to be incarcerated for at least two years by the Supreme Court of Liberia, they will highly appreciate that the Senate to not only declare the County seat vacant; but to inform the National Elections Commission (NEC) of said vacancy to proceed in filling it in accordance with laws as well as add terms and condition that will be prudent and expeditious for exigency of time.
The Supreme Court of Liberia on January 27, 2022 ordered the incarceration of Senator-elect, Samukai and co-defendants for two years for their failure to comply to the mandate of the court by paying 50% of the judgement amount in the tone of $ 537, 828, 15 within the period of six months.
The former Minister of Defense was prevented from taking his seat as Lofa County’s Senator, after the Supreme Court of Liberia halted his certification by the National Election Commission (NEC).
Samukai, Joseph Johnson and James Nyuman Ndokor have to serve two years imprisonment each and pay the full judgment amount of US$1,147,656.35.
The former Defense Ministry officials were indicted and found guilty by a Lower Court for theft of property, criminal conspiracy, misuse of public money, and money laundering.