The National Elections Commission (NEC) has summoned some top executives of the National Patriotic Party (NPP) to answer claims by other concerned officials of the same institution that they (former executives) are involved in corrupt practices.

NPP Legislative  Caucus headed by Grand Cape Mount County Senator  Abel Massalay  recently accused  Cllr. Theophilus C. Gould, party chairman and  his secretary general John Francis Wakefield, among others of leasing the premises of the  NPP Headquarters to business  entities without  the consent and  knowledge of other  NPP National Executive Committee members.

According  to  a June 27 2008 communication signed by the clerk of writs Emmanuel  Kerkula, NPP chairman Gould and  his secretary general are summoned  for hearing  into  a corruption charge brought against them today beginning at 3:00PM in  the  conference room  of NEC in Sinkor.

The NEC writ clerk used the communication to urge all concerned to be present and on time with accusers required to produce all evidences that may prove their allegations.

The NEC action comes as a result of a formal complaint filed against Cllr. Gould, John Francis Wakefield and others before the NEC through its Chairman James M. Fromayan by attorney and senator, Abel M. Massalay, Hon. George S. Mulbah and Saah R. Gbollie, respectively.

The summons notice says that the concerned aggrieved party is requesting probe into factors leading to the illegal expulsion of petitioners and to prohibit the illegal encroachment on premises of the NPP by Mr. Eza Eid and his cohorts.

They also want NEC to conduct full audit of the accused so as to force them to account for US$100,000 generated from a lease executed between them and a business entity called TOTAL.

Under the banner of Concerned National Patriotic Party Lawmakers
 of the  52nd National Legislature,  Senator Massalay  and  his group petitioned NEC to investigate the  NPP Leadership charges of corruption and  illegal transactions against the  bye-laws and constitution  and NEC regulations.

According to the  June 17 2008 dated petition,  the  group  complained to NEC based on the  illegal encroachment on the  headquarters of the NPP by Lebanese businessman Eza Eid  and that the  encroachment  was done  through the instrumentality of John Francis Wakefield and Theophilus C. Gould.

Senators Masallay and his group wrote NEC maintaining that the accused transferred the party property without the knowledge and consent of the required executive committee of which they are members.

“That  by virtue of petitioners  being  partisans and  executive  members of the  NPP, decisions that have  to do  with the disposition of  the  party’s assets in any manner or  form must  be reached on the basis of consensus of all executive committee members of the party; that  was  why petitioners were consulted before leasing out  a portion of the NPP headquarters to a business entity called TOTAL for the  sum of US$100,000.” They maintained in the petition.

The  petition indicates that  the  NPP executive committee had reached  a consensus that  part of the  US$100,000.00 should be used to  reactivate the various headquarters  in the  15 political  sub divisions of the county and to  give  party workers some compensation.

They alleged that the US$100,000 has as of yet remained essentially unaccounted for as evidenced by the non-existence of these headquarters in the 15 political sub divisions of Liberia.

The petitioners maintained that  the accused  having  failed  to account for the  US$100,000, they again  attempt in any manner or form to lease out  the remaining  portion of the  NPP Headquarters without  being  audited to establish how   the first US$100,000 was used.

Senator Massalay and group  said that the accused  upon  realizing  these  corrupt and illegal practices on the  part of Gould and his associates, the  petitioners  notified  and called  on those involved in the  illegal venture to fully account for their action, a call  that  necessitated the hosting of an emergency meeting to expel petitioners Senator Abel M. Massalay, Representatives  George W. Mulbah and  Saah R. Gbollie from the   party in complete contravention of  section 7.1(d), sec. 8.11, and  sec.2.7 of  the By-laws and constitution of NPP.

Senator Massalay  and NPP Inspector General Boima Shagari`, former National Youth chairman  Randall Nawtuwa and Grand Kru County chairman of NPP, Mr. Sekajipo A. Sekajipo, among  several  NPP partisans  are calling for the replacement  and prosecution of Mr. Gould , Whitefield and  their associates.

They expressed confidence in NEC ability to render fair and transparent judgment in the case.

Mrs. Kandakai Supports Pres. Sirleaf’s Fight Against Hunger 
 
A Liberian humanitarian and social worker, Mrs. Henrietta V. Kandakai has expressed support to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf initiative to fight against hunger by the government launching the [Back to Soil] agriculture  program in the country.

Mrs.  Henrietta V. Kandakai told The Analyst that President Sirleaf’s vision to make Liberia a sustainable nation in food production is a worthy cause that should be encourage and supported by every citizens in the country as well as in the Diaspora.

The Liberian humanitarian   Mrs. Kandakai indicated that Liberia and its citizens have suffered years of civil wars and was emerging from its difficult past in the face of global food crisis as such the every citizen should be at the full front in fostering the dream to fight against hunger.

According to her when Liberians at home and abroad are supportive of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf plans to make Liberia an agriculture nation, the country will triumphant over many problems including the reduction of hardship

She said  Liberia has the potential in agriculture development, but could only explore the potential when citizens are in collective support of the president’s vision to fight against hunger.

The Liberian humanitarian and social worker, Mrs. Henrietta V. Kandakai hailed the International community for the level of peace achieve in the country.