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Liberia:Executive Mansion troubles over confusion at TRC, Badio
Apr 23, 2008
by Michael Kpayili / Staff Writer

The Executive Mansion has described as troubling signs of events currently taking place at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Presidential Press Secretary Cyrus Badio said the controversy ranging from bribery to the indefinite suspension of TRC Commissioner Pearl Brown Bull signal the undermining weakness of the intent of the Commission.

He said President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is currently disturbed over what is unfolding at the TRC and stressed the need for the TRC Commissioners to find an amicable resolution to the confusion. Mr. Badio acknowledged received of communication of suspension from the TRC but maintained that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was seeking legal consultation before arriving at decision.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has been marked by confusion which led to a physical body contacts between two of its female Commissioners.

Meanwhile, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has suspended one of its Commissioners for double standards. Commissioner Pearl Brown Bull was suspended indefinitely by the Chairman of TRC Cllr. Jerome Verdier for what the Commission claimed as commitment to two government functionaries. In the communication sent to embattle Commissioner Pearl Brown Bull which was signed by Chairman Verdier, it was disclosed that Commissioner Bull was in an employed of the Public Procurement and Concession Commission while serving as TRC Commissioner.

Cllr. Pearl Brown Bull has however rejected her suspension on grounds that she is not in the employed of the PPCC. She has challenged her suspension before the Supreme Court for which a halt order is instituted. Associate Justice Jametta Wolokollie having received a petition from Commissioner Bull has invited all parties to a conference and urged all Commissioners at the TRC to go back to status code.

Commissioner Bull said TRC Chairman Jerome Verdier does not have the right to suspend her. According to Commissioner Bull, only acts incompatible to her job status or impeachment could constitute her removal.

With regards to the bribery allegation at the TRC, a witness who earlier accuses Michael Davis alias “Sundaygar Dearboy” of raping his 14 years old sister has linked Commissioner Massa Washington to the claim. Witness Saywah said TRC Commissioner Washington bribed him with an undisclosed amount to lie on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf favorite musical star “Sundaygar Dearboy”.

Mr. Badio was speaking via a local radio station in Monrovia over escalation of confusion at the TRC.

About the Author:
Michael Kpayili is a staff writer for TheLiberianTimes.com. Kpayili has written articles which have appeared on TheLiberianTimes.com since late 2005, and his hard hitting investigative journalism has earned the respect of the Liberian press community.

Michael Kpayili may be contacted at mkpayili@theliberiantimes.com.