The Inquirer (Monrovia)
Morrison O.G. Sayon
7 April 2008
David Sayweh, the man who testified against one of Liberia's foremost musical artists, Michael S. Davies, alias "Sundayday Dearboy" at the Truth & Reconciliation Commission, (TRC) says he was paid by Commissioner Massa Washington and others to lie on Sundaygar Deaboy of committing atrocities.
Speaking to a group of Liberian Journalists yesterday, Mr. Sayweh, aged 25, revealed that the allegation he made that Sundaygar raped his sister is false and misleading noting that he was coerced by some individuals from the TRC and the Chairman of the Youth group in his town to lie on the Liberian musician.
Narrating what he called the true story to reporters, Mr. Sayweh said what went on when he testified at the TRC was a complete set-up orchestrated by some commissioners at the TRC including Massa Washington and Mr. Paul Flomo who is the Chairman of the youth of Galla town in Grand Bassa County.
"While we were at home some times last year, some TRC workers came to our town (#3-C) with Sundaygar's photo asking us as to whether we knew 'this man.' "Some people said they knew Sundaygar but told the TRC workers to return the following day because some of the villagers were not in town at that time. Upon their return, they cited the whole town to a meeting at which time we were asked to give statements against Sundaygar," Mr. Sayweh pointed out.
He said the first person that was asked to make statement was a resident of Galla Town, Mr. John Biah who told the TRC workers that he knew nothing about Dearboy, but that one General Mensco raped his wife after he was put under gun-point.
"After his statement, the TRC workers said their mission was not about any general but only Sundaygar," Sayweh further narrated.
He said at that point, Paul Flomo, the youth chairman in the town where he was attending who also influenced him to lie on Dearboy went to him to the creek where he was washing his clothes to educate him on what to say against Sundaygar when he appears before the TRC workers.
"Paul Flomo told me to focus on the issue of rape since that was the most important thing which, the TRC people were focusing on, and when I went, I told the people that Sundaygar raped my sister Rita until she died even though I do not have any sister by that name but only made-up that name," Sayweh revealed.
"The TRC people asked me in what year and month my sister was killed, I just said in December and in 2004 since we were asked to mention that year. In January, only I alone whose statement came out so, and the TRC people gave me US$10.00 saying that I was a lucky boy and will be taken to the States when I give a good testimony in Monrovia.
"One of the TRC workers who is also a Bassa man identified as Victor Zantoh gave me US$50.00 saying, we brought this money for you to be eating on the road. While we were on our way, a lady kept on calling us. We went straight to her house and she introduced herself as Massa Washington and assured me that my luck had opened and that after testifying, if anything positive comes out of the testimony I will take you to America where I visit every two weeks," David further revealed.
He said Madam Washington showed him some of Mr. Dearboy's albums with his photo saying, "When you enter the Pavilion to testify, I will show this photo; what you need to do is to force it from me and tell the people that this is the man."
He said from Commissioner Washington's residence, they were taken to the TRC's offices in Sinkor where they were told to sign for some money. He said out of the money, he was given only L$500.00 in Buchanan an amount that discouraged his father who threatened legal action against Paul Flomo and others.
He said Commissioner Washington gave his father 20 pieces of scratch cards to be in constant contact with the TRC in case of any problem and gave her number and the office number to his father.
Mr. Sayweh said the situation has brought split between him and his family. He said his conscience will not be clear until he apologizes to Sundaygar and his family.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sayweh is appealing to Mr. Dearboy to forgive him. He said though his action has damaged Mr. Dearboy and his family, he was asking for forgiveness since it was not his own making but due to the lures by some high-ups at the TRC whose orders he could not have resisted.
When contacted, Commissioner Washington said she is not clothed with the authority to speak on issues relating to the TRC. She asked journalists to contact the Chairman of the commission, Jerome Verdier.
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