Former Defense Minister Brownie J. Samurai and others to include Nyumah Doker and Joseph Johnson are expected to reappear at Criminal Court-C Thursday to provide an explanation on whether or not they have completed the 50$ payment of Arm Forces of Liberia pension money owed.
The total amount in question was US$ 1.5 Million and 50% were expected to be paid within six months period, which expired on August 10.
The lower court in its ruling on March 24, 2020, held the three liable for Theft of Property, Criminal Conspiracy and Misuse of Public Fund but the Supreme Court in its recent running drop the charge on Misuse of Public Fund.
The court in its ruling order Samukai and others to pay per their positions.
According to the lower court, failure to pay will lead to Samukai’s imprisonment for two years and that Nyumah Doker will serve a sentence for six months while Joseph Johnson goes to prison for one year.
The court also ruled that said about to be paid before Samukai is certificated.
However, Following the lower court’s ruling, Defense Lawyer asked for an extension and took an appeal to the Supreme Court to address the matter.
However, the Supreme Court modified the lower court ruling, stating that the three equally committed the crime and bear equal punishment.
Samukai and others indicted by the court were requested to pay 50 percent of the US1.3 Million, but the former Defense Minister personally paid US$174 Thousand.
Late Thursday, August 19, some prominent citizens of Lofa, Nimba, and others from the southeast in the Diaspora, as well as some Liberian business persons, contributed nearly USD$182,000 and presented the same to the Friends of Lofa County-Senator-Elect Brownie J. Samukai.
The amount represented the former defense minister’s share of 50% required by the court (USD$191,276.05).
Over the weekend, the Supreme also ruled in favor of the Ministry of Justice in its petition filed against the certification of former Defense Minister Samukai, who was recently elected Senator of vote-rich Lofa County.
This means that based on the petition filed by the government, the minister is a convict who is due to pay AFL pension money and should not be certificated.
According to Judicial analysts, Samukai is not exempted from the remaining amount that was slated to be paid on the 26 of August or face a jail sentence.
Earlier, a constitutional argument filed by the Movement for Progressive Change(MPC) on grounds that Samukai is a convict and must not be certificate to serve at the National Legislature, was denied by the court.
Whether or not 50% of the amount requested had been paid remains a public concern, as Samukai is expected to reappear Thursday, August 26.
