NPA Saga:Comptroller coerced me for sex

The ongoing cross- examination of second state witness Deneah Martin Flomo took a dramatic turn Friday, 22 January at the Criminal Court “C”, Temple of Justice in Monrovia when Flomo accused indicted former National Port Authority or NPA Comptroller Mrs. Christina Kpabar-Paelay of allegedly coercing him to “have an affair.”

Charges were dropped against defendant Flomo in the US$800,000 plus economic sabotage case to serve as state witness against his ex-business partners, including former NPA Managing Director Ms. Matilda Parker and her Comptroller Mrs. Paelay over claims of failing to implement wreck removal and security consultancy contracts allegedly awarded the witness in violation of public procurement laws.
The court went wild over the weekend as the witness responded to a cross-examiner representing defendants Parker and Paelay who quizzed him if he obtained a receipt for monies he claimed to have received from checks that were encashed and returned to Comptroller Paelay.

“To answer your question, I did not receive a receipt; reason being I was coerced by the comptroller Mrs. Christina Paelay who told me that we should have an affair,” he told the court and jury during the Friday’s hearing.

He said there was no receipt “by me or by them because of this affair issue,” adding that all these monies he enchased were given directly to Mrs. Paelay. “And there were like almost 12 payments cheque made in my name, signed by both the comptroller Mrs. Christina Paelay and Ms. Matilda Parker,” he added.

Witness Flomo has repeatedly said he was introduced to Mrs. Paelay who he says offered him a contract to supply the NPA with stationery. He claimed that after Mrs. Paelay introduced him to the former Port Managing Director Ms. Parker, the latter allegedly brought forth documents and told him to sign where his name was typed.

But he alleged that at that time, he was only thinking about his stationery supply. In response to questions about his family connection with former Senate Pro-Tempore Mr. Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, alleged fronting as an “errand boy” in the business he claims to own, his alleged lack of knowledge of the contract and travelling with Mr. Findley to Sweden, witness Flomo said, “I came here to testify against [$800,000] … therefore, I should be asked question in that direction.” The case continues today, Monday, 25 January at 10am.

By Winston W. Parley-Edited by Jonathan Browne