Temple of Justice, Monrovia — One of Liberia’s alleged most notorious armed robbers, Mulbah Kesselle has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges levelled against him by the state. Defendant Kesselle made the not guilty plea when he was arraigned before the Criminal Court ‘D’ in Monrovia to answer to the indictment. Defendant Kesselle was forwarded to the Monrovia City Court on Thursday morning of October 8, 2020 after weeks of stay in police. Defendant Kesselle was taken to court to face prosecution for the alleged commission of the crimes of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder. The investigation also established that Defendant Kesselle and others to be identified were armed with cutlasses, single barrel guns and other deadly weapons.

Speaking at the presentation, Miss Ama Harris proprietor of Rosetta Steps expressed her thanks and appreciation to the organization for the effort spear headed by Mr. Edwin J. Mayah the event Chairperson of the Organization. In her words “the donation enhances the aim of Rosetta Steps which is to help ease the financial burden of education in low income communities. The Rosetta Steps Education Center founded in 2014 in the New Kru Town Duala community in memory of the late Rosetta Benson Harris former principal of the WVS Tubman High School , provides high quality education in low income communities. Some of the schools needs include, laptops, computers, printers and financial assistance to complete the construction of its new classroom building. More information about the Rosetta Steps Education Foundation and the People for the Advancement of Liberia can be found at www.rosettasteps.org and www.paldiaspora.com

Paynesville – Preparation for the conduct of Liberia’s first digital population and housing census continues to garner momentum with the deployment of geographic mappers across the country. I want to encourage all of us as the team gets out to go home and get counted,” she urged. Mr. Tweah noted that the Liberia 2021 National Population and Housing Census will be the first digital and most reliable census, and called for a sustained awareness through the media to ensure the entire populace is informed. In July 2020, the Legislature adopted a Joint Resolution #003/2020 which set the date of the National Population and Housing Census on Monday, March 8, 2021. ‘Select Census Day‘Despite the deployment of the geographic mappers and implementations of series of activities for a successful conduct of Liberia Census 2021, a specific date for the census is yet to be announced.

The taking of the law into our own hands is not a good example for the rule of law. Bishop Brown stated that security forces must accelerate investigations on allegations of mysterious or secret killings and desist from presenting “inconclusive” reports on these allegations to the public. Bishop Brown said these situations remain alarming and worrisome. Lack of coordinationSpeaking further, Bishop Brown observed the lack of coordination between the offices of relevant authorities of the justice sector in Liberia. He noted that the lack of coordination of hierarchies of the justice sector in Liberia has the proclivity to undermine peace and stability in Liberia.

Paynesville – Residents of Maude Town Community in Jacob Town, Paynesville are breathing a sigh of relief after a son of the community, P. Edwin Tisdell embarked on the rehabilitation of the main secondary road linking Maude Town with several communities in the area. Mr. Tisdell, the founder and Executive Director of the Champion Design franchise, through his foundation, the P. Edwin Tisdell Foundation recently broke ground for the rehabilitation of the 1.8 kilometers secondary road valued at US$26,000. I went to the Maude Town School that was later changed to Fair Field Baptist. “That is why my family and foundation have decided to reach out to the community and help with the fixing of this road. The P. Edwin Tisdell FoundationThe P. Edwin Tisdell Foundation is a humanitarian and charitable organization founded by P. Edwin Tisdell, renowned Liberian entrepreneur who is the founder and Executive Director of Champion Design.

MONROVIA — The challenges, threats, barriers and risks faced, especially by grassroots environmental, land and human rights defenders in West Africa, is the focus of a three-day regional conference from 29 – 31 March 2021. About 300international, regional and local community actors gathered in avirtual conference to elevate the plight of frontline grassroot defenders, with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa, Commissioner Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, delivering the keynote address. While describing local people as “first defenders in isolated communities,” Commissioner Lumbu said the conference presents an opportunity for participants, especially those working in the field as frontline human rights defenders to network for protection of the environment and local communities. Participants are expected to validate a Baseline Assessment Report conducted in all West Africa countries and Equatorial Guinea. Earlier in his welcome and introductory statement, the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the MRU SCO Platform, Dr. Michel Yoboue corroborated the assertion by the AU Commissioner regarding the lack of data on the attacks on grassroot frontline defenders.

The phenomenon of angry citizens, including Kehkeh and Pehm Pehm drivers burning homes and vehicles is of continuing concern to every peace-loving Liberian and resident. In Ganta, Nimba County for example, a beautiful and well-known hotel was burned by angry mob with complete impunity. Regrettably, we aren’t aware of any conviction in cases of pehm pehm and kehkeh drivers burning NTA buses or other private properties. Even though mob Violence is wrong and totally unacceptable; people on social media and other platforms are giving reason to rationalize the use of mob violence as a lack of confidence in the police and Justice system, and the fear that perpetrators of crimes enjoy impunity, especially with so many uninvestigated deaths. Kehkeh and Pehm pehm drivers are NOT above the law of the Republic of Liberia, and they are notorious for dangerous driving practices throughout the country.

Monrovia – Unity Party’s United States and Canada branch has called on the United States Government to impose the Magnitsky sanction on President Weah and members of his inner circle for alleged acts of corruption and abuse of human rights. The Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which applies globally, authorizes the U.S. Government to sanction those it sees as human rights offenders and corrupt; freeze their assets, and ban them from entering the U.S. “We are hereby calling on the government of the United States to impose Magnitsky act sanctions against President George Weah and members of his inner circle involved in corruption and the abuse of the human rights of Liberians,” the group said in the statement. The Ambassador wrote: “Like many Liberians and those who care about the future in this country, I share your concern. A classic example of the government’s dictatorial tendency, he said, is the latest treatment of the Unity Party National Secretary General, Mo Ali by the Liberia National Police (LNP).

MONROVIA – The National Commission Elections on Thursday announced that none of the eight propositions of the December 8, 2020 Referendum met the constitutional two-thirds requirement. Of this sum, you have to ascertain whether the yes votes on each proposition reach the two-thirds requirement for approval. “Because the referendum is a national election — the “Yes and No votes from the 15 Counties (on each proposition) must be added together to determine whether the yes votes reach the two-thirds requirement for approval. However, the referendum result from Gbarpolu County could not be announced because the voting in Nomodatouno was disrupted. Consequently, the NEC conducted the Special Senatorial Elections, SSE, and referendum elections in Nomodatouno on January 7, 2021.

Let it be known that printing additional bank notes is not the solution to Liberia financial and economic woes. The Liberian currency is only legal tender in Liberia and no where else on the planet. This is no secret that about ninety percent of the printed new currency sits with kleptomaniac government officials and their foreign business friends/partners in warehouses and homes in Liberia. Between eighty to ninety percent of the citizenry and residents living in Liberia are cash strapped. Let me end with this caveat, that powerful men and women have paraded Monrovia and Liberia in the past and are nowhere to be found today.

On the judiciary, the report states: “The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary, but judges and magistrates were subject to influence and engaged in corruption. “The constitution provides for an independent judiciary, but judges and magistrates were subject to influence and engaged in corruption. 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, and targets perpetrators of corruption and serious human rights abuse. Sherman’s acts of bribery demonstrate a larger pattern of behavior to exercise influence over the Liberian judiciary and the Ministry of Justice. Sherman and the judges alluded therein, but also on the Liberian Judiciary as an institution responsible for the fair and impartial hearing and disposition of cases.

Liberia: ANC Alexander Cummings Promises to Raise the National Budget to US$1bn If Given the ChanceMONROVIA — The Political Leader of the opposition Alternative National Congress (ANC), Mr. Alexander Benedict Cummings, has vowed to help ensure the improvement of Liberia’s Fiscal National Budget from a little over US$500 million to at least US$1billion when given the opportunity to serve at the level of the Liberian presidency. The ANC is one of the political parties that make up the Collaborating Political Parties. Other political parties that form part of the CPP include: All Liberian Party (ALP), Liberty Party (LP) and the former ruling Unity Party. Ghana is about five times about our population and I believed that their national budget is around eight or 10 billion. He added that mixed choices from national leaders on addressing national issues have negatively affected the nation and its people“There are several reasons for where we are as a nation and people.

THE CRUX OF THE JUSTICE dilemma in Liberia, according to the report stems from the fact that the judiciary branch of government remains grossly inept and compromised. “The constitution provides for an independent judiciary, but judges and magistrates were subject to influence and engaged in corruption. “The constitution provides for an independent judiciary, but judges and magistrates were subject to influence and engaged in corruption. IRONICALLY, IN SPITE of all the red flags, all the signs and writing on the wall, those lingering problems persists. If that system is flawed, it leaves an entire nation vulnerable to the frailties and trappings of life.

On Thursday, March 25, Rep. Boley, while speaking on the floor, was confronted by Rep. Sebo, who became emotional and pointing at Rep. Boley, repeatedly said: “This man killed my family members. “This blatant lie and reckless allegation by Rep. Sebo was amplified by FrontPage Africa news organization. I have been a victim of similar lies and those culpable of these criminal acts, including Rep. Dixon Sebo, are walking around lies,” he debunked. “I am stating categorically that Rep. Dixon Sebo is a pathological liar… There is not an iota of truth to this accusation by Rep. Sebo. The TRC report you are quoting all around here is an absolute rubbish… I regret nothing during the civil war.

Kollie also hopes to create a collaborative partnership with Bong County citizens, stakeholders, Bong County affiliated organizations, and community partners to address the needs in our community. Kollie stated that BCTC needs help from Bong County citizens to make the college a success story. Kollie said he hopes that the BCTC leadership can be opened for a more transparent partnership with citizens and UBCAA. Is that the right investment in education, Kollie rhetorically asked? Kollie said we can work to create partnership in making Bong County one of the breadbaskets of the Country again.