Liberia: Senate to Decide Samukai Fate
Former Defense Minister Brownie Samukai.
The Plenary of the Liberian Senate has resolved that its leadership takes charge of a communication emanating from a group under the banner “Concern Citizens and Registered Voters of Lofa County seeking the indulgence of the Senate to declare the Senatorial seat of Lofa vacant.
Plenary’s decision resulted from a motion proffered by Grand Cape Mount County Senator, Simeon B. Taylor that the leadership should take seized of the citizen’s petition.
In their petition, the Concern Citizens and Registered Voters of Lofa County acknowledged that based on the recent opinion of the Supreme County of Liberia, Browine J. Samukai, the declared winner of the Lofa County Special Senatorial election, the said Court has virtually rendered the winner incapable and disable to occupy said seat for and on behalf of the County.
According to a release from the Senate the concerned Citizens furthered indicated that since Senator-elect Samukai is convicted and ordered to be incarcerated for at least two years by the Supreme Court, of Liberia, they (Petitioners) will highly appreciate that the Senate to not only declare the County seat vacant but to inform the National Elections Commission (NEC) of said vacancy to proceed in filling it in accordance with laws as well as add terms and condition that will be prudent and expeditious for exigency of time.
The Supreme Court of Liberia on January 27, 2022 ordered the incarceration of Senator-elect, Samukai and co-defendants for two years for their failure to comply to the mandate of the court by paying 50% of the judgement sum in the tone of $ 537, 828, 15 within the period of six months.
The former Minister of Defense was prevented from taking his seat as Lofa County’s Senator after the Supreme Court of Liberia halted his certification by the National Election Commission (NEC).
Essentially, Samukai, Joseph Johnson and James Nyuman Ndokor have to serve two year impriosement each and pay the full judgment amount of US$1,147,656.35.
The former Defense Ministry officials were indicted and found guilty by a Lower Court for theft of property, criminal conspiracy, misuse of public money, and money laundering.