Liberians Want former Transitional Chairman Prosecuted for corruption as "deterrent", but others disagreed

As the legal battle to prosecute former National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL), Chairman, Businessman Charles Gyude Bryant heats up, several Liberians in Monrovia and its environ are calling on the Liberian government to speedily bring to justice their former leader who has been charged for corruption. During an in interview with cross section of Liberians over the weekend, a team of GNN reporters gathered that most of those interviewed called for the prosecution of former Chairman Bryant and six former officials who have been charged of stealing millions of United States Dollars from government coffers.

“Former Chairman Bryant must face justice, and if found guilty be prosecuted. This will serve as a deterrent for others who are presently serving in this government and want to do the same, by stealing the Liberian people’s money,” Junior Sumo, a taxi driver given his impression about the issue said.

“We hope what has been started by this government, the Ellen led government to prosecute former officials for corruption will continue ….it should not be limited to only former Chairman Bryant’s government alone,” a middle age petty trader, Sarah Barclay in a serious tune said.

“The culture of impunity in our society must stop. Let Bryant and his former officials be given a free and fair trail, and if found guilty be brought to justice to face the full weight of the law,” Samuel Johnson, II, a student of the AME Zion Community College in Monrovia told the GNN.

As others want Bryant and others prosecuted, some others interviewed by the GNN expressed displeasure of how former Chairman Bryant and his officials are be persecuted by the Liberian people, “this is like a biblical story; those without sin must be the first to throw stone. Many of those who are calling on the prosecution of Bryant and others must be careful; if you’re in glass house don’t throw stone. This is what I can say,” Elizabeth Collins a businesswoman said.

Last week former Chairman Bryant was finally indicted and charged by a Grand Jury for “theft of property” for allegedly diverting over one-million United States Dollars during his tenure as chairman of the former NTGL. According to reports, the former chairman refused to justify to the investigators on how he utilized the US$1,397,255.00 in question.

According to legal practitioners here the former chairman’s act is in violation of Chapter 15, Section 15.51 (a,b & c) of the new penal law of Liberia which states that a person is guilty of Theft if he knowingly takes, misappropriates, converts or exercises unauthorized control over, or makes an unauthorized transfer of an interest in the property of another with the purpose of depriving the owner thereof.

For his part, former chairman Bryant challenged those who accused him of stealing money from the nation’s coffers, “"If you can prove that I committed crime when I was in office, go to the court. My lawyers will vigorously defend me. We have laws in our country. The constitution is clear,” the former Liberian leader boastfully told reporters in Monrovia.

As Sirleaf Launches Nation-wide Cabinet Meetings, Marylanders in high Gear for the arrival

Thousands Marylanders Await President Sirleaf Arrival, as she Launches Nationwide Cabinet Meeting

Preparation is said to be in progress in Harper, the administrative capital of Maryland County – home of Liberia’s 18th President, the late President William V.S. Tubman for the arrival of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in that part of the country at the end of this month.

Already a high power delegation of technical staff from the General Services Agency (GSA) is currently in Harper to conduct an assessment in order to prepare damaged public buildings for the arrival of the President in the county, according to the GSA Director General, Mr. Willard Russell.

The GSA Director General said after the assessment an estimate would be submitted to the Central Government at which time the funds will be provided for what he called, “quick action would be put in place for all the renovation of these damaged facilitates, including the Presidential Guesthouse, the City Hall and the Administrative Building,

Speaking to the GNN via mobile phone, an Executive of the Maryland Union, John Willie said preparations are been made for the arrival of the president, adding, “we are making necessary preparations to give the city a face-lift for the arrival of our mother,” Mr. Willie in a jolly mood said.

Observers believed the move by the president to take members of her cabinet to the people worth commendable, “this exercise been undertaken by her would afford those individuals in her government who over the years refused to visit their counties to do so by force,” Mr. Willie further told the GNN.

According to the Liberian Chief Executive the holding of her cabinet would be done throughout the country on a rotational basis, the first county to witness the arrival of these cabinet members and Chief Executive will be Maryland County.