The administrative head of the Paynesville Women for Progress and Development Mrs. Anita Bryant Cooper hails the arrest and detention of current and former officials of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) for their alleged involvement in extra printing of Liberian currency.
Addressing a brief news conference at the organization’s office in Soul Clinic Community, Paynesville on Tuesday, 5 March Mrs. Cooper notes the decision by the government to apprehend individuals associated with the big financial syndicate will promote good governance and also eradicate corruption in high places.
She calls on the government through the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to also arrest others implicated in the syndicate to avoid selective justice which could damage the good image of the Weah administration.
She laments that for many years the country has been engulfed with rampant corruption, depriving citizens of development that could improve their lives.
She says for President Weah to succeed in the current fight, he should close his eyes, by putting aside friendship and ensure that those linked to the money syndicate face the full weight of the law.
Madam Cooper stresses that prosecution of CBL past and current officials will sent a positive signal to the international community that Liberia is ready for business.
She wants government to confiscate properties of suspects already arrested once they are adjudged guilty in the ongoing trial at the Temple of Justice on Capitol Hill.
Prosecutors have additionally charged and jailed two other officials, following investigative reports into Liberia’s alleged missing 16 billions, barley 24 hours after three top officials, including former President Ellen Johnson – Sirleaf’s son Charles E. Sirleaf, were incarcerated for economic sabotage.
On Tuesday, 5 March, Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) Director for Operations defendant Richard H. Walker and the Deputy Director for Internal Audit, Joseph Dennis were incarcerated at the Monrovia Central Prison on charges of economic sabotage, criminal conspiracy and criminal facilitation, bringing to five, the number of officials held so far following the alleged 16 billion findings.
Earlier on Monday, the CBL’s Deputy Governor Mr. Sirleaf, former Executive Governor Mr. Milton Weeks and Director of Banking Mr. Dorbor Hagba were charged and locked up for their alleged roles in the “missing 16 billion” Liberian banknotes case.
The arrests of the current and former CBL officials, including Internal Audit official Mr. Dennis follow the release of separate reports into findings of the alleged “missing 16 billion” Liberian banknotes by the United States Embassy near Monrovia and the government here.
By Emmanuel Mondaye –Editing by Jonathan Browne
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