Monrovia — But Targeting of Cellphone Company Raises Eyebrows

The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice has directed the Lone Star Communication Corporation to freeze with immediate effect any and all shares and assets owned by former Maritime Commissioner Benoni Urey and Mr. Emmanuel Shaw, directly or indirectly or by those acting on their behalf.

Addressing a major but brief news conference yesterday in Monrovia at the Justice Ministry, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Republic of Liberia, Cllr. Kabineh M. Ja'neh disclosed that Lone Star Communications Corporation has been further advised to ensure, with the full support of law enforcement at the disposal of government, that the two men have no access directly or otherwise, to any and all the facilities of LCC.

The Justice Minister noted that there is evidence available with the Ministry of Justice to respond to proceed to freeze the assets and economic interest of former Finance Minister Emmanuel Shaw, and former Maritime Commissioner Benoni Urey.

Minister Ja'neh said government's action is in consistent with the Security Council Resolution 1532 and in harmony with the fundamental principles of due process of law, stressing, "we have taken concurrent action of issuing these directives to the LCC and also file a petition before the civil law court."

In March this year, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 1532 which obligates member nations of the UN to freeze funds, other financial assets and economic resources held by entities owned or controlled by certain named personalities. The resolution also calls for the freezing of assets of any person or persons acting on behalf of those named persons or acting at their direction to the benefit of those persons.

Minister Ja'neh pointed out that since his ministry received copy of said resolution and acting on directive of NTGL Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant, it has begun its own process to identify the assets of all those listed by the United Nations.

He said the Special Presidential Telecommunications Committee as well as the World Bank Telecommunication Assessment Team on Liberia have been working with this process, adding that the Justice Ministry has been carried out intensive investigation painfully and slowly due to logistical constraints.

Meanwhile, since news about government's pronouncement against the two individuals' assets with the LoneStar, many persons have been wondering why the government would choose to target only the LoneStar, especially so at this time of competition among cell phone companies in the country.

One source called on the press to investigate this matter because the U.N. Sanction does not only affect the two individuals but several others, and that the targeting of the two, specifically with the LoneStar raises eyebrows. "Why this action at this time when three cell phone companies are in tough competition? The press must investigate, " one source said.

The sources said they have no qualms with the government enforcing the U.N. Security Council's Resolution, but the way and manner in which the government has begun the process creates room for concern.