By Grace Q. Bryant
The Liberia National Police (LNP) has vindicated the suspended Coordinator of the Special Presidential Project, Makenneh L. Keita, from all allegations of soliciting bribe.
According to the LNP, it has conducted and completed a full scale investigation into the allegation of the US$ 5 million bribe with no link to Madam Keita.
In September, 2021, the LNP commenced a full-scale investigation into an allegation of bribery and unauthorized invitation involving Madam Keita after it was reported that she unknowingly solicited US$ 5 million from a South African Company without the knowledge and approval of her bosses at the Executive Mansion.
“Since the situation occurred in August of last year, the LNP was said to have been investigating the matter to make sure that the suspect is brought to book,” the police spokesperson disclosed.
However, Carter explained that during the special investigation, the investigators unearth that the Business Manager of the Special Presidential Project, Amos Diggs and the Chief Executive Officer of Knight Group of Company International, Lawrence J. Saye were linked to the crime instead of Madam Keita as earlier presumed.
The Police is expected to send Diggs and Saye to court for allegedly soliciting US$5 million from a South African Company known as Imperia Investment Limited and has therefore charged them with the crimes of Criminal Attempt to Commit Theft of Property, Bribery, Criminal Solicitation and Conspiracy.
Mr. Carter noted that since the investigation did not establish any probable cause linking Madam Keita to the alleged crimes of soliciting bribe, the investigation recommended that administrative action be taken against Madam Keita for action outside of her line of duty by inviting and going into arrangement with a company without the approval and knowledge of her bosses at the Executive Mansion.
Carter narrated that the investigation has also exonerated Christian Habber, a staff of the Presidential Project along with Madam Keita and Dorley Carto based on the fact that the investigation did not establish any cause to link them to the crimes.
The action is in violation of chapter 12, section 12.50, chapter 10, Section 10.1, 10.3 and 10.4 of the Revise Penal Code of Liberia for allegedly soliciting from the company.
