Human Rights of Women
Source: The New Dawn
Liberia's Anti-Corruption Commission Chair Cllr. Frances Johnson Addison seems preoccupied with one objective at least for now:To ensure that former Police Director Beatrice Munah Sieh Brown and others are brought to book to account for nearly US$1 million provided during her administration at the Liberia National Police to acquire uniforms for the Police.
Madam Brown has denied any wrongdoing, and has gone to town claiming that the move by LACC boss as a means to settle personal scores, but LACC Cllr. Johnson-Addison says her findings indicate there is a probable cause for prosecution.
The Ministry of Justice seems to disagree. Justice Minister Christina Tah had said findings provided by the LACC are insufficient for the government to go to court.
In a statement on the issue last year, Minister Tah said the government will proceed with prosecution only when there is enough evidence against an accused.
But LACC Boss Cllr. Johnson Addison insists the Commission has strong evidence to try the former Police Director and others even without the Justice Ministry, now that the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission has prosecution powers.
Critics say there is long-existing bad blood between Cllr. Johnson Addison and Madam Brown, which could be the prime reason behind the former's unrelenting quest to take the latter before the docket.
Speaking with the state-owned radio Liberia Broadcasting System or LBS Thursday in a live phone-in talk show, the LACC Chair refuted such claims, saying "I have nothing personal against Munah."
One caller quarried whether the latest campaign by the Johnson Addison-led LACC is not directed at getting even with or settling old scores, the Counselor outbursts: "I'm not Vindictive." Madam Brown and several others have already been indicated with multiple crimes, including economic sabotage, theft of property, criminal facilitation and criminal conspiracy.
Others indicted with the former LNP Boss are Harris Manneh Duhn, former Deputy Commissioner for Administration (LNP); Prince A. O. Akinmeri, Proprietor, Ultimate Investment and Holding Company Kantmah N. Zeon and Nebo Garlo, Physical Auditors of the Ministry of Finance.
Madam Brown on Monday appeared before Criminal Court 'C' at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia and filed a criminal appearance bond of US$407,000.00. The trial is expected to commence this midterm of court, according to Court C Judge Blamo Dixon.