The Civil Society Network of Liberia (CSNL) has described as baseless and groundless allegation emanating from former Defense Minister, Brownie Samukai, that Judge Yamie Gbeisay lied by inserting fake evidence against him and his colleagues during their trial for the misuse of funds belonging to the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL). Appearing on Spoon Talk on Saturday Night, August 13, 2022, the convicted former Defense Minister accused Criminal Court C’s Judge, Cllr. Yamie Gbeisay, of ruling against him based on fake evidence.
But, speaking to the Samukai allegation against Judge Gbeisay, the Civil Society Network of Liberia, through its Executive Director, Sensee Kiadii, stated, “Having followed the trial of former Defense Minister Brownie Samukai and co-defendants, we strongly believe that he was convicted based on litany of evidence that clearly established his misappropriation and misapplication of funds belonging to officers of the Armed Forces of Liberia. A review of documents from the criminal case shows that former Defense Minister Brownie Samukai and his co-defendants withdrew and used the provident funds of the AFL. Exhibit 12 of the trial documents provides three Ecobank checks ordered by Samukai and his co-defendants for the withdrawal of the AFL funds. Besides, Judge Gbeisay ruling’s was reviewed and validated by the Supreme Court of Liberia as a fair and just verdict.
“Additionally, it is highly deceptive for Mr. Samukai to render Judge Gbeissay’s ruling unfair, when he consistently admitted to using the AFL Funds under the instruction of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Former Minister Samukai’s allegation against Judge Gbeisay is a smokescreen and attempt to use the well experienced Judge,” Kiadii maintained.
Speaking further, the CSNL Executive Director stated, “The conviction of former Defense Minister Brownie Samukai and his co-defendants was backed by evidence and a demonstration of how the justice system has improved in rendering fair judgment for all parties. On the issue of public and private funds, we want to make it clear that, though the AFL funds were private, the misapplication of the funds to support AFL Mission in Mali amounts to public use. That’s why Mr. Samukai and co-defendants were indicted for misappropriation of public funds. We wondered as to how Mr. Samukai would be condemning the ruling of the courts and, at the same time, commending President Weah for pardoning him.”
The prodemocracy group then urged former Minister Samukai to focus on restituting the AFL monies, as ordered by the court, and refrain from making unsubstantiated claims against judicial officers like Judge Yamie Gbeisay.