THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

News of the legal representation of Senator Varney Sherman, House Speaker, J. Alex Tyler, Senator Morris Saytumah, and others to take exception to Criminal Court “A” ruling and the City of Paynesville decision to joined the 100 Resilient Cities network  are stories dominating today’s edition of the local dailies

DOMINANT STORIES   

After Judge’s Ruling: Indictees, Others Run to Supreme Court 

Lawyers representing the legal interests of Senator Varney Sherman, Sherman and Sherman Law Firm, House Speaker, J. Alex Tyler, Senator Morris Saytumah, and others have taken exception to ruling of Criminal Court “A” to have the banking information of their clients produced before the court. Located at the Temple of Justice on Capitol Hill in Monrovia, the Supreme Court is the final arbiter of justice in the country. The lawyers took exception to the ruling and subsequently announced to the Supreme Court. This came on heels of a ruling delivered on Monday, May 30, 2016 by Criminal Court “A” Judge J. Boima Kontoe that the banking information of Cllr. Sherman and others be produced to aid the ongoing legal proceedings into the crimes of Bribery, Economic Sabotage, Criminal Solicitation, Criminal Facilitation and Criminal Conspiracy, the Heritage writes.

Related Captions: Cllr. Varney Sherman, Others: Central Figures In Global Witness Bribery Scandal Lose Motion to Have Bank Records Released(FrontPage Africa), Sherman Loses First Battle (The New Dawn), Prosecutor Gets Permission To Subpoena Sherman, Wotorson, Other Bank Accounts(Daily Observer), In Sable Mining ‘Bribery Scandal’: Banks May Produce Evidence, If…(FOCUS)

City of Paynesville Joins 100 Resilient Cities

The City of Paynesville has joined the 100 Resilient Cities network which will help the municipality to tackle challenges of infrastructure, poor health, flooding, and water etc. Mayor Cyvette Gibson said the city entrance into the 100RC network will help Paynesville fight the challenges of infrastructure failure, rainfall, flooding, water management issues, and poor health infrastructure and disease control. According to the FrontPage Africanewspaper, each new network member will gain access to a variety of 100RC platform partners in the private, public, academic, government, and nonprofit sectors. Partners offer tools and services valued at over 180 million USD at no direct cost to 100 RC members, in areas such as innovative finance, technology, infrastructure, land use, community and social resilience.

Related Captions: Paynesville City Joins 100 Resilient Cities Network(The New Dawn),P-ville City To Benefit From US$164M Grant For 100 Cities(Daily Observer)

OTHER STORIES

African Envoys Celebrate 53^rd African Day in Nigeria

The African Ambassadors Group in the Federal Republic of Nigeria concluded the observance of the 53^rd Africa Day Celebration with an elaborate program held in Abuja on May 25, 2016. His Excellency, Ambassador Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former Foreign Minister of Nigeria, delivered the lecture on the  AU’s 2016 theme “African Year of Human Rights with a special focus on the rights of women”, the NEWS daily writes.

Related Caption: African Envoys In Nigeria Celebrate 53^rd Africa Day(FOCUS)

NEC Lauds Partners for Support Craves for Continued Media Partnership

An inside story of the Heritage newspaper reports that the National Elections Commission (NEC) has lauded its donor partners, especially the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) for the continuous support to the commission. Speaking at the launch of the Court down to the 2017 Presidential and Representatives Elections on Sunday, May 29, 2016, the Acting Chairperson of NEC, Cllr. Sarah J. Toe, said support from donors partners has resulted to the hiring of several consultants, who have worked tirelessly to ensure the Commission achieves its goals.

LNP, FLY, Maryonet To Launch Policing Program

Authorities of the Liberia National Police (LNP), in collaboration with the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), and the Mano River Youth Network (MARYONET) among others are expected to introduce a new community policing program (CPP) to curb crimes. According to theNew Dawn newspaper, the new community policing program which was adopted at the National Stakeholders and Partnership Revision and Validation Seminar on National Action Plan for CPP will develop a training curriculum that will introduce Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Local Technical Working Group (LTWG) members throughout Liberia. It will also develop a legal framework for human rights, develop information, communication and behavior change communication framework. The validation exercise was witnessed by representatives from the U.S. Embassy, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Liberia’s Peace Ambassador, and a Community Police International Expert from Switzerland, among others.

US$1.5M Lawsuit Hangs Over Lonestar Cell MTN

According to the FOCUS newspaper, the Liberia Football Association (LFA) has threatened to issue a US$1.5 million law suit against Lonestar Cell MTN, Liberia’s oldest GSM Company, for allegedly extorting money from Liberians in relations to its promotion SMS on the pending football match between Liberia and Togo. Making the disclosure in Monrovia, LFA President, Mr. Musa H. Bility accused Lonestar Cell MTN of sending out misleading information to the general public as it relates to the game.

MIA Begins Legislative Caucus Dialogue In Bong

Ministry of Internal Affairs on Monday commenced a two-day dialogue of the Legislative Caucus and local leadership of Bong County. Speaking at the official opening of the dialogue in Gbargna, Internal Affairs Minister Dr. Henrique Tokpa said the dialogue is part of efforts by the ministry to ensure coordination and collaboration between the county officials and Caucus in the implementation of development projects in the various counties, reports FOCUS newspaper.