The Founder and Executive Director of a Civil Society Organization (CSO) called Access to Justice and Legal Aid Program (AJULAP), Omecee Johnson, has frowned at the deportment of some Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA) for raising false alarm and threatening a lawsuit against President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for violating the laws of the Republic of Liberia.
In an interview with journalists in Monrovia on Tuesday, Johnson said it was a total contradiction for the LTA Commissioners to protest their removal or replacement from various positions on grounds that they are serving tenure positions, indicating that all of the LTA Commissioners who are threatening the lawsuit against President Boakai, during their confirmation before the 54th Legislature, acknowledged the cancellation of tenure positions by the Liberian Senate at various public corporation and agencies.
In a video recording, a copy of which is in possession of this paper, Montserrado County Senator, Darius Dillon, is heard loudly asking the nominees at the time, saying, “Do you also know that by the removal of the tenure security, once confirmed, you will be serving at the will and pleasure of the President?” and all of them unanimously agreed and said yes.
It can be recalled that while the 54th Legislature was in session, former President, George M. Weah, removed former Central Bank Governor, Nathaniel Pattry, and former Head of the Liberian National Lottery, Martin Kollie, who were also occupying tenure positions that were still running.
“Following his removal as Central Bank governor, Pattry threatened to leak classified information relating to the mysterious death of one of CBL’s employees, Mr. Matthew Innis. According to our investigation, the former government quietly paid him off, while Martin Kollie struggled to maintain his position at the Lottery but his efforts proved fruitless,” Johnson told reporters.
Johnson who, himself, is a veteran courtroom reporter, as well as social justice advocate, described the latest position of the LTA Commissioners to withdraw their initial quest to go to court based on considerations, according to the Chairperson of the LTA Board of commissioners, Edwina Crump, as a well-calculated plot against Boakai’s regime.
“If President Boakai’s government is capable to liquidate those who will be affected as a result of removal from various positions as President Weah did in the case of the former CBL Governor, Nathaniel Pattry, then the two Presidents will be acting in good faith in the interest of the country,” AJULAP’s boss added.
He added, “The mission of this organization is to sensitize the citizenry about the laws, their rights, and the legal system through civic and public legal education, strategic litigation, and the media,” and pointed out that when citizens are informed about the legal system, they will be equipped and effectively engage in the democratic process, and hold their leaders accountable.
He emphasized that all public officials are obligated to respect all laws of the Republic of Liberia, as enshrined in Part IV, Section 4.2 of the Code of Conduct for all public officials.
He asserted that, unfortunately, it was disappointing for some public officials in the former government of President Weah to grossly violate Part 5, Section 5.1 of the Code of Conduct, which prohibits all public officials from participating in political activities using their offices and public assets, mainly to engage in political propaganda for a candidate contesting for a public office.
In closing, Johnson lauded former Commissioner General of the Liberia Maritime Authority, Lenn Eugene Nagbe, who resigned his tenure position because he realized violating Part 5, Section 5.1 of the Code of Conduct.
At the same time, AJULAP’s boss is urging President Boakai to set up the office of the Ombudsman to perform its statutory functions, in accordance with the Code of Conduct.
