PHOTO: Cllr. Bobby Livingstone
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia- One of the prosecutors accused by the Montserrado County Attorney of misappropriating the US$150K intended for the prosecution of the Charloe Musu murder trial has broken silent and admitted of receiving US$6K during the prosecution of the trial.
Cllr. Bobby Livingstone, who heads the financial crime unit at the Ministry of Justice, made the disclosure when he was addressing Journalists this week.
He admitted that prosecution team received US130K from the offices of Control at the Ministry instead, the US$150K as being alleged by Cllr. Swaliho
According to Cllr. Livingstone, he personal received the amount US$6K as the prosecution’s share of the money.
“This our normal practice as prosecutors to receive fund at the Ministry for every cases that we will handle for each of the cases as the progresses”.
Also reacting to Cllr. Sesay claimed that he didn’t receive a dime from the US150K and that the accused prosecutors distributed the money in his presence, Cllr. claimed that Sesay received US$3K (three thousand United States Dollars).
“During the first distribution of the money, Cllr. Sesay didn’t participate but the second distribution which time received and signed for his portion of the US3K”.
However, when contacted Cllr. Sesay demanded Cllr. Livingstone produce documentary evidence to support his claims that he received US$3K.
“Let them produce to you listing of the lawyers who received the money and if it is established that I received and signed for the money, I will submit myself to a criminal investigation Sesay challenges Cllr. Livingstone.
Livingstone alleged that Cllr. Sesay frustration comes after a letter from the Human office dated February 8,2024 and signed by Irwin D. Nimely.
Portion of Nimely’s letter reads that complaints received from various lawyers said that you are continuing to make representations in court on behalf to government of Liberia. As you are, you were appointed by former president George M. Weah and by law you represent the interest of government; however, any negative results emanating from the cases you have disposed of might produce serious financial and legal implications on the institution.
In view of the aforementioned, we kindly request that you refrain from making representations on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and turn over all government assets to my office until you are reappointed.
A cc copy of the letter to Cllr. Elizabeth Nelson, Court Administrator, Cllr. Adolphus Karnuah, President of the prosecution Association and Cllr. Bobby Livingstone, Director of Financial Crimes.
It can be recalled Cllr. Sesay alleged the US150K was distributed among prosecutors which was meant for change venue if granted but sadly, the case wasn’t transferred to any county.