A fanatic of ex-president Charles Taylor's National Patriotic Party (NPP), now Bomi County Senator Sando Johnson, has launched an appeal to President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf seeking her intervention to lift UN Sanction against Benoni Urey, also an ex-Taylor official. Mr. Benoni Urey served as Commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority, formerly the Bureau of Maritime Affairs during the Taylor's administration.

At a dedicatory ceremony of the VONJO Hotel held Wednesday, July 24 in Tubmanburg, Senator Johnson pleaded that President Sirleaf steps in to ensure that the UN takes Mr. Urey to court if the World Body has case against him, arguing that the years of sanction against the Liberian businessman was affecting his free movement.

During the program attended by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Senate Protempore Gbehzongar M. Findley, Senator Cletus Wotorson and other government officials as well as authorities of Ecobank Liberia and Afriland Bank, Senator Johnson said it would be preferred were Urey given a day in court to answer whatever charge the UN has against him.

On the opposite, he lamented that Urey has been tied up here in Liberia under UN travel ban, without facing trial. Both Urey and Senator Johnson were confident and activist of ex-president Taylor who has been sentenced to 50 years prison by a UN backed War Crime Court of Sierra Leone for aiding and abating crimes against humanity in that country.

"It's true I'm from NPP Madam President, but I'm not going to be unconstructively critical on the President if she's doing the right thing. I was very critical on President Sirleaf; but today we are working together. We remain opposition, but we remain constructive," said Sen. Johnson.

In conclusion, Senator Johnson said, "I appeal to you Madam President to kindly look at the case of Mr. Urey. Let's talk to the UN; if they have a case against him, let them take him to court."

Though Urey in a subsequent statement openly said he was taken by surprise on grounds that he was not aware of the appeal made by Senator Johnson to President Sirleaf, he however applauded the Liberian leader for her leadership.

Mr. Urey assured President Sirleaf that she gained a loyal son (Sen. Sando Johnson), because he said when "Sando Johnson is loyal for you, the sky is the limit."

The President however did not comment on the matter, only lauding the leadership of the county, including Senator Johnson for the level of competitive developmental initiatives undertaken in the county.

President Sirleaf said development only comes in a nation when citizens themselves fell that they are to be a part of development, while government takes the lead.

"There are those who light the candles... we see that there are thousands of candles all over the country which means a clear response from our citizens. There are candles burning all over the place; but there are those who fail to see the light," said the President.