Sinoe lawmakers at war

Senators J. Milton Teahjay, Cllr. Joseph Nagbe and Representative Matthew Zarzar appear to be at each other’s throat, with Sen. Nagbe claiming that it is regrettable and embarrassing for the level of time he had known Senator Teahjay and the kind defense he had built for him, only to realize later that the man he defended is nothing but ‘thieve and bad’ person.

Narrating his ordeal to this paper, Sen. Nagbe claimed that at the time he got sick and was taken to Ghana for treatment, upon his return to the country, the Liberian Senate raised about LRD$600,000 package.

He alleges that the money was reportedly received by Sen. Teahjay with the understanding that it would have been taken to him. But Sen. Nagbe claims to have only received LRD$200, 000.

“Only God in heaven knows where the rest of the money went. Teahjay did not think that this man is from sick [bed] and let carry his money. Instead, the money drastically reduced in his hands,” Sen. Nagbe alleges. He alleged that Sen. Teahjay cannot be trusted at any time because he is allegedly deceitful and he lies.

In buttress to Sen. Nagbe’s allegation against Sen. Teahjay, Rep. Matthew Zarzar alleges that during the days Mr. Teahjay was working as Sione County Superintendent, the Ministry of Internal Affairs allegedly provided US$3,109,068.64 for the 2014 Independence Day celebrations, but the General Auditing Commission audit reported that Senator Teahjay allegedly squandered US$727,669.20.

He narrates that the GAC’s report stated that out of 74 development projects duly approved by the Sinoe Development Council with total cost of US$2, 646, 870, 00, only three projects were completed.

“This clearly shows that Teahjay cleverly diverted the council’s development funds to his personal aggrandizement, thus depriving the people of Kpanyan, Jaedae, Jaedae, Jurzon districts, Greenville City and the rest of badly needed development. Sinoe County was deprived of development while Teahjay enriched himself at the detriment of the county,” he says.

But responding to the two officials, Sen. Teajay says they are the ones that are stalling the development of the county, noting that during lawsuit against him, both Sen. Nagbe and Rep. Zarzar testified against him.

Sen. Teahjay says it shows the highest level of hate his colleagues have displayed against him, and threatens that Sen. Nagbe and Rep. Zarzar will be expelled from the county’s legislative caucus if they bring the county to public disrepute.

He accuses Sen. Nagbe and Rep. Zarzar of allegedly being most ungrateful people he has ever met.
Last year, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) commenced the prosecution of former superintendent Milton Teahjay in Rivercess County in relations to allegation of misappropriating proceeds from the sale of illegally tapped rubber and funds from the rental of county land to a logging company.

He is alleged to have also violated established government regulations in keeping with the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) Acts in awarding several contracts.

A guilty verdict was handed against Mr. Teahjay for violating the procedures and processes of the PPCC in the awarding of contracts for the implementation of county development projects.

However, LACC says it is gravely concerned about the Judge’s decision to ignore other charges in the indictment against Senator Teahjay which carry greater magnitude including Economic Sabotage, Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Facilitation and Misapplication of Entrusted Property.
The Court has accordingly fined Senator Teahjay US$50,000.00 to be paid into Government’s revenue within the period of nine months and failure to do so would lead to his arrest and imprisonment until the amount is paid and a clerk certificate obtained.

By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor–Edited by Winston W. Parley