Concord Times (Freetown)
17 September 2008
Freetown — Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is embarrassed by the unwarranted behaviour of her former confidant Willis Knuckles, who is being investigated for allegedly soliciting money from expatriate companies in return for government contracts.
"I am hurt. I am deeply wounded and we are sad about this because it is very embarrassing," she told journalists in Monrovia.
FrontpageAdfrica, an online Liberian news magazine reported that Knuckles purportedly sent e-mails soliciting millions of dollars from expatriate companies to secure for them government contacts - in some instances - with the alleged acquiesce of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
Knuckles has denied the authenticity of the e-mails claiming that unknown persons may have hacked into his yahoo account and had put out the e-mails to malign him.
Meanwhile, observers say the extent of such a damage caused by the controversial e-mail scam using the President's name was enough to smear her political image, an observation she apparently agreed was honest.
Sirleaf said since the emergence of Knucklesgate-II she continues to receive calls from concerned Liberians overseas, although most of them could hardly believe what happened had anything to do with her consent.
"I am deeply wounded by that because I know what I stand for," she reiterated.
In the wake of ongoing investigations, President Sirleaf said Mr. Knuckles has been requested to keep his distance from around the presidency pending the conclusion of the probe.
Although President Sirleaf had earlier denied Knuckles' concurrent positions as chairman of Cellcom's board and at the same time Minister of State, the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has asked Cellcom mobile phone company to relieve Knuckles of his post as chairman of its board pending the conclusion of the investigation.
She, however, explained that Knuckles was chairman of the company's board during the transitional regime, but when she assumed the mantle of state, Knuckles was asked to resign which he did.
A release from the Executive Mansion has confirmed the setting up of a commission of enquiry to consist of at most five Liberians deemed impartial and independent to be selected by the head of the Commission.
This body would have the scope and authority to seek and acquire information from all domestic and international sources bearing on the investigation within a period not exceeding three months.
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