By Martin Blayon
The former Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA), Matilda Parker has sent a passionate plea to the George Weah-led government via the Judiciary branch to urgently proceed with the US$837,950.00 economic sabotage case against her by the past government.
Madam Parker and her Comptroller, Mrs. Christiana Kpabar – Paelay, were together indicted in 2015 on numerous crimes of economic sabotage, theft of property and criminal conspiracy in the amount of US$837,950.00.
The former NPA Managing Director made the call for speedy trial in an exclusive interview with this Reporter on Sunday July 8, 2018 at the Commission Baptist Church in Gardnerville, after serving as guest speaker.
Madam Parker said “I want to clear my name” and that the economic sabotage case against her, which was widely publicized during the past government by the media, needs to be urgently adjudicated void of any further delay.
She said that further delay of the corruption case detrimental against her character, which she has built for decades.
When ask if she is prepared for any presidential appointment by President Weah, Ms. Parker said: “It is important to bring the case to the court; it is my focus right now. I cannot see beyond that case.”
“I am grateful to God for still waking up with roof over my head. If I had the solution to that problem; I could have solve it,” the former NPA Managing added.
Prosecution charged the two indicted former boss and her Comptroler with plotting and awarding two contracts to Mr. Deneah M. Flomo and his Denmar Enterprise, which value at US$500,000 and US$300,000.
Prosecution further alleged that Flomo and his enterprise were contracted to remove wrecks from the Port of Greenville in Sinoe County, and to provide security consultancy at the ports of Monrovia, Buchanan, and Greenville.
But the State says the contractor, Flomo and his Denmar Enterprise did not have knowledge regarding the contracts, and the required services were not rendered to the NPA.
It can also be recalled that defendant Parker went on trial formally in January 2016 after winning a legal battle over the prosecution when the court overturned the decision of the prosecution to challenge a US$1.2 million insurance bond as being minute when the court claimed that the law forbids excessive bail.
However, mid-way into the trial in February 2016, it was cut off by the court and an investigation was launched into an allegation of jury tampering by the presiding Judge Blamo Dixon.
That happened when the prosecution allegedly intercepted a letter addressed to three of the sequestrated jurors, something they claimed amounted to tampering.
During the trial in 2016, prosecutors demanded Judge Dixon to disband the entire jury panel after alleging that police officers assigned at the jury quarter intercepted communications from bailiffs William Nyankun and Bendu Dukuly that were intended for some jurors in the case.
But Judge Dixon refused to dismiss the entire jury panel, but he later removed jury foreman Kissi Kamara, jurors Melvin Teah Neowen and Kebbeh Kollie to whom letters were allegedly addressed.
He also fined and removed bailiffs William Nyankun and Bendu Dukuly from guarding the jurors.
The Supreme Court Justice In-Chambers, Jamesetta Howard-Wolokolie ruled and disbanded the entire jury, thereby joining the case and instituting a committee to investigate allegations of jury tampering; though the outcome of that investigation is yet to be made public by the Judiciary.
However, on Tuesday May 3, 2016, Associate Justice-In –Chambers, Jamessetta Howard-Wolokollie ruled that the presiding Judge of the Criminal Court “C,” Blamo Dixon made a mistake; when he disbanded few of the jurors in the case and left the rest to continue.
“Wherefore and in view of the foregoing, it is the ruling of this court that the lower court resumes jurisdiction in this case,” said Associate Justice Wolokollie.
The ruling of the Associate Justice, which was accepted by the prosecution, was met with an exception by the defense counsels of the two former NPA officials.
“Your honors, respondent excepts to the ruling and announce an appeal to the full bench of the Supreme Court.” The request was granted by Justice Wolokollie.
An appeal process has 60 days to meet all formalities.
However, Madam Parker expressed optimism, if the Weah’s led government could see serious reason; in prioritizing the economic sabotage indictment charge against her; which has reportedly tarnished her hard-earned reputation.
According to her, this government headed by President George M. Weah through the court needs to focus on the over US$800,000 economic sabotage case; in clearing her name from the huge charge; which was levied against her during the administration of ex-President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.