FLASHBACK: Mr. Brownie Samukai leaving the Criminal Court
Monrovia, Liberia- The government of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice and former Defense Minister, Brownie J. Samukai and his two former subordinate officials have signed a stipulated agreement on how to pay the AFL remaining welfare money.
As Garmah Never Lomo reports, he agreement was made before his Honor, Judge Ciapha Carey of Criminal Court “C” today, Monday, May 9, 2022, The two other former Defense officials were Deputy Minister Joseph P. Johnson and Comptroller Nyumah Dorkor during the government of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
The former Defense Minister recently had to forfeit the Lofa County Senatorial seat he won in the December 2020 Special Senatorial election on the opposition CPP ticket due to the legal web of criminal conviction, despite being declared winner by the National Elections Commission (NEC). As the result of this legal hurdle, NEC could not certificate him, for over a year, thus the post was declared vacant by the Liberian Senate.
Mr. Samukai and the two others were some time ago convicted for corruption by the Criminal Court for misappropriating US$1,147,656.35 representing the welfare funds of soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
Since the conviction, some amount of the money has been restituted. Now, in the latest deal, they are to pay US$500 monthly, beginning June 1, 2022 until the full amount is cleared.
BELOW ARE DETAILS OF THE AGREEMENT REACHED ON MONDAY:
“Whereas, on February 8,2021, the Supreme Court confirmed the verdict and the judgement of guilt against the above names defendants for the commission of the crimes of theft of property, Criminal conspiracy and misuse of public money and sentenced them to two years jail in a common jail ; however, the jail sentence was suspended provided the defendants restitute the full amount of US$1,147,656.35(one Million, one hundred forty seven thousand, six hundred fifty six and thirty five cent) or fifty(50%) within six months and thereafter enter appropriate agreement to pay the remaining portion in one calendar year.
Whereas, the defendants having failed pay 50% of the amount of the judgement within six months as required, the Supreme Court of on January 27,2022, ruled that they should be incarcerated in the common jail for a period of two years and pay the amount of US$1,147,657.35.
Whereas, on February 22,2022, the president of Liberia, pursuant to Article 59 of the 1986 constitution of Liberia suspended the two years sentence of the defendants with the provision that they make full payment of the amount of the judgement as stipulated by the court in installments.
Whereas, the Ministry of Justice and lawyers representing the defendants have met in pursuant to the president in pardon that suspended the sentence of the defendants and have agreed that considering the fact that since the amount of the US$ 191,275,05 has already been paid out of the total sum of US$1,467,657.35.
And now realizing that the balance of US$573,828.15 is the outstanding amount that is the subject of the Executive pardon for which payment the sentencing of the defendants were suspended.
Now therefore, the defendants hereby promised and offer to pay to the government of Liberia by and thru the sheriff of the first judicial circuit, Criminal assizes “C” Montserrado County amount of US$500(five hundred United States dollars)monthly payment on the first day of each month beginning June 1,2022,to which the government of Liberia interpose no objection provided that the disabilities imposed on them by the Supreme Court of Liberia shall be lifted/removed after the full payment and liquidation/restitution of the balance amount of US$ 956,380.30(Nine hundred fifty six thousand, three hundred and eighty cents.
If any payment date should be fall on Saturday, Sunday or legal holidays, such payments shall be due and payable on the next banking day.
In witness whereof, I have set my hand and affixed signatures on the 5th day of May 2022, to avail whenever, wherever, whomever these present shall come.
Signed by Defendants Brownie J. Samukai, Joseph P. Johnson and Nyumah Dorkor
Signed by Atty. Samuel Kofi Woods, Cllr. for the defendants.
Signed by Cllr. Wesseh A. Wesseh and Approved by Judge Ciapha T. Carey.”