The Inquirer (Monrovia)
Morrison O.G. Sayon
24 April 2008
As argument into the much-talked about bribery case that is looming over the House of Representatives resumes, Montserrado County Representative, Edwin M. Snowe has called on Speaker J. Alex Tyler to recluse himself from the position of Speaker of the 52nd National Legislature.
Rep. Snowe said his decision to call for the Speaker to recluse himself from the position is predicated upon accusation made by Bong County Representative, Samuel Bono that he and other members of the House received US$5,000 each to remove Snowe as the first Speaker of the 52nd Legislature.
Mr. Snowe who opened the argument into the bribery case yesterday said Rep. Bono accused Alex Tyler and others of giving the money to them (lawmakers) to sign the resolution that was prepared to remove him as Speaker.
In his argument, Rep. Snowe pleaded with the House Judicial Committee to allow him play the alleged voices of Rep. Bono, Rep. Rufus Gbaieor, Rep. Richard Saa Gbolie and Rep. Kettehkumueh Murray, but the Chairman of the Committee, Armah Sanor refused on grounds that the accused have earlier rejected the evidence presented by Mr. Snowe saying that it is not admissible under the law.
Three of the accused, Rep. Gbolie, Bono and Gbaieor were not present to argue their case. But according to the Chairman of the Judicial Committee, the three accused lawmakers have waived their rights to argue the case. According to information, Rep. Bono who is alleged to be the paramount figure in the ongoing bribery case trial has traveled to the United States.
But Rep. Snowe said the absence of the accused amounts to the admission of guilt. He said under the Liberian law, defendants are to be present at every proceedings whether they waive their rights or not.
Though the accused have argued that the acquiring of evidence by Mr. Snowe is illegal under the law, the former Speaker counter-argued that the accused cannot use the illegal gathering of evidence as a shield. He said accused lawmakers have not denied taking bribe to remove him as Speaker but their argument is that their voices were recorded illegally.
He then maintained that indeed bribery took place for his removal something that must be the paramount concern of the committee to ensure that justice is done. Mr. Snowe contended that he did not evade the privacy of the accused but Bono and others went to his house and narrated what transpired before the resolution was signed.
"I did the recording to save myself because apparently, these people were on double standard to receive the US$5,000 from Mr. Tyler and his cohorts and receive same from me; that's why I did the recording," Rep. Snowe disclosed.
Rep. Snowe who appeared emotional during his argument accused the committee of serving as co-defendants for the accused who have earlier waived their rights to argue. Rep. Snowe was stopped several times from playing the Compact Disc, which contained the alleged voices of the accused lawmakers. According to the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Sanor, he could not allow the Disc to be played since the defendants said it was not admissible under the law. The former was later allowed to play the interview granted to Star Radio by Rep. Samuel Bono in which, he admitted receiving money to remove Mr. Snowe as Speaker.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Judicial Committee investigating the bribery case has announced that his committee will review the arguments and submit its findings to plenary, the highest decision-making body of the lower House of Parliament.
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