Editorial: The Suspended Imprisonment And Stipulation Payment Agreement: The Beginning Of Samukai Taking His Seat At The Liberian Senate?

ON MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 2022 President George Manneh Weah delivered his fifth State-of-the-Nation Address to the anticipation of many but the criticism of some segments of Lofa County. The reservation of the Lofaians was based on the inability of former Defense Minister, Brownie Samukai, a son of Lofa County elected to the Liberian Senate but not able to take his seat due to court conviction involving the pension funds of servicemen of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL)

THE FRIENDS OF SAMUKAI (FOS), demonstrating their reservation about what they termed Lofa County’s lack of representation at the Liberian Senate, resolved to stage a nationwide protest at the Capital Building during President Weah’s delivery of the State-of-the-Nation. Abass Mark Biaty, who spoke on behalf of the FOS group, stated that their decision to stage the nationwide protest during the State-of-the-Nation address was predicated upon the fact that their rights have been denied by the Weah-led government. According to Biaty, the protest was meant to show their official support to the Lofa County Caucus and some of its members, who had announced a boycott of the Joint Chamber during the President’s address. He stated that for too long the people of Lofa have cried for justice, but it has been denied by the current regime.

NOW IT SEEMS like change is taking place in the scenario involving Brownie Samukai and, consequently, protesting Lofaians: President Weah has ordered the suspension of the two-year prison sentence imposed on Samukai.

THE PRESIDENT, PURSUANT to Article 59 of the 1986 Constitution, which vests in him the power and authority to grant reprieves, suspend fines, sentences and pardon anyone convicted and sentenced for a crime has, with immediate effect, ordered the suspension of the two-year prison sentence imposed on Brownie J. Samukai, following his conviction by the Supreme Court of Liberia; with the proviso that Saukai works with the Ministry of Justice to enter a stipulation for the full settlement of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) money.

THE PRESIDENT HAS directed the Minister of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) to make full payment of the outstanding balance of the AFL money, while Samukai is going through the stipulation payment agreement.

IT MAY BE that the suspended imprisonment and the stipulation payment agreement may be the beginning of Samukai eventually taking his seat at the Liberian Senate and removing the roadblock involving some citizens of Lofa County.