The NEWS (Monrovia)
Benjamin B. Sworh/Robbie Semple
1 April 2008
Monrovia — An official of the United Methodist Church Human Rights Monitor has threatened to withdraw his organization from the ongoing bribery probe involving some Lawmakers of the House of Representatives.
The Program Officer of the UMC Human Rights Monitor, Jefferson Knight told reporters that the House Judiciary Committee which is probing the bribery allegation has failed to attach seriousness to the investigation thereby necessitating his organization's withdrawal as an observer.
About two months ago, the House of Representatives appointed the Justice and Peace Commission, Foundation for International Dignity, Liberia Council of Churches, United Methodist Church Human Rights Monitor and the Press Union of Liberia, among others, to monitor and observe the bribery probe involving some Lawmakers who were accused of taking bribe by former House Speaker Edwin M. Snowe to remove him from the speakership.
However, Mr. Knight said observers from the UMC Human Rights Monitor would attend the investigation this Wednesday but indicated that any further delay in the process would definitely compel his organization to withdraw its observation.
"I don't believe that these people are serious to probe into the bribery allegation," he said.
Earlier, the Judiciary Committee Chairman, Armah Sarnor told the gathering that they could not conduct the bribery investigation Monday due to the lack of quorum.
He also disclosed that representatives Rufus Gbeor and Saah Gbollie wrote the committee requesting for a postponement of the investigation for this Wednesday.
He noted further that Montserrado County Representative Kertikumehn Murray wrote the committee raising constitutional issues but he did not elaborate.
The Judiciary Committee was requested to investigate the bribery allegation in keeping with the House's rule.
Those present at yesterday's investigation were Armah Sarnor, Chairman; Co-chairman Varflay Kamara and Moses Tarnapolie.
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