The NEWS
(Monrovia)
C.emmanuel Johnson
7 October 2008
Monrovia — The opposition Liberty Party has called for the dismissal of government officials who allegedly extorted money from investors to be awarded the western cluster iron ore deal.
The party also stressed that officials who took money to influence the decision of the western cluster iron ore deal be out rightly dismissed since President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has already disqualified the result of the first bidding process.
Addressing a news conference Monday, Liberty Party Political Leader Charles W. Brumskine, also called for the suspension of all officials of government who are alleged to have participated in the knucklesgate affairs until they are exonerated by an independent body appointed by the International Contact Group On Liberia (ICGL).
"Giving the President's conclusion that the allegations in the e-mails warrant suspension of government's negotiation with LISCR, every government official named in those e-mails should be suspended from office until they are exonerated by independent inquiry," Cllr. Brumskine noted.
Mr. Brumskine also said officials of government who were part of the Inter-Ministerial Mining Committee that conducted the western cluster bid must be replaced by individuals who have the credibility and moral astuteness to ensure a fair and transparent process.
The opposition politician said the Knucklesgate committee headed by University Professor Elwood Dunn lacks the independence due to his reported association with the Governance Commission.
Cllr. Brumskine indicated that the Dunn Committee risks having tainted evidence that would never be admissible in a trial.
"The independence of Dr. Dunn has already been called into question. Shortly following the president's appointment of Dr. Dunn to head this criminal investigation, an article appeared on the Frontpageafrica website alleging Dunn's association with the Governance Commission (GC). If this information is true, it would undercut the independence of both Dr. Dunn and his commission," the Liberian lawyer stressed.
Cllr. Brumskine noted that if Dunn's Commission consists of jurists and other investigatory experts, they should agree to be amendable.
Cllr. Brumskine questioned a recent travel of Dr. Dunn to the United States in connection with his role as Chairman of the Commission.
He said if Dunn's trip was funded by the executive branch without the necessary appropriation by the Legislature that could further undermine the commission's credibility.
"The Dunn commission is yet to be inducted into office, then under what authority has he traveled to the United States to begin work on behalf of the commission?" the politician questioned.
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