The NEWS (Monrovia)
9 May 2008
Monrovia — As retired army general Charles Julu and Col. Andrew Dorbor go with a not guilty verdict on treason charges, a pro-democracy campaigner has called on the two men to file a lawsuit against the government of Liberia for damages.
The Executive Director of the Movement for the Revival of the Liberian Society (MORS) R. Kofa Kloh said the arrest and indictment of Julu and Dorbor was intended to defame their characters because, according to him, the government had no case to prove against the men.
Speaking to this paper Thursday in Monrovia, Mr. Kloh pointed out that his group will combine forces with Julu and Dorbor to sue the Liberian government for damaging the hard earned reputation of the men.
"The government has done wrong to Julu and Dorbor; the government should not go with impunity for damaging the image of respected men who served the nation with their sweat," Kloh stressed.
He observed that the Liberian government lied on the two former army officers adding, "The indictment against Julu and Dorbor was a scheme to witch-hunt perceived enemies."
Commenting on the statement made by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Mr. Kloh said the president's comment is a threat to the judiciary.
"To tell the acquitted men to 'go and sin no more' was a premature statement and a disgrace to the country's quest for democracy," he noted.
He wondered why the president would tell Julu and Dorbor to go and sin no more when she did not grant them executive clemency.
"They were not freed at the will and pleasure of the president; therefore, her statement is unfortunate and shows that she wanted justice to go her way," the pro-democracy activist said.
Last Monday, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf told a news conference at the Roberts International Airport upon her arrival from the United States of America that despite 'solid evidence' adduced by prosecution in the treason retrial, the judge chose to rule otherwise.
She said further that Julu and Dorbor should "go and sin no more" and that she leaves them with their conscience.
Justice Minister Philip Banks also frowned on the judgment of Judge Peter Gbenewelleh for rendering such a judgment.
He said the decision of some judges was a threat to the nation than armed robbery.
Additionally, Kloh spoke on other national issues and frowned on government's failure to control prices on the market.
He said rising prices was hurting the people to the extent that they can hardly afford a day's meal.
"The government lacks planning; that is why the people are suffering;" he added, noting that high prices are a recipe for chaos.
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Shame on the President of Liberia and her so called justice minister for their kankaroo behaviors.They better start praying for God to give them Godly wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in dealing with their fellow human beings, especially those whom they perceived as their enemies. Why try to kill innocent men when they have done nothing wrong to you? To the president and her justice minister: the Liberian Government has no solid evidences against julu and dorbor, the government only had solid blunders against the two men because they are from the krahn tribe. Please leave the Krahn People alone… [Read Full Text]