Liberia: Over US$1.2M Bribe Report, Lawmakers Issue Writ Of Arrest on Newspaper Publisher

MONROVIA – The Publisher of the Hot Pepper Newspaper Mr. Philipbert Browne says the lawmakers who he accused of receiving bribe to authorize the printing of L$10 billion have filed a lawsuit against him.

According to the Publisher who claims to be in Bokay’s Town, Buchanan Highway, said he was informed on Friday evening that a sheriff from the court had gone to his offices to serve a Writ of Summon/Arrest on him.

Mr. Browne maintained that he can prove beyond all reasonable doubt that the lawmakers were bribed US$2,200,000 to give the Central Bank authority to print L$10 billion.

Before going on its annual break, the 54^th Legislature commenced an investigation into the circumstances under which extra L$10 billion was printed by the Central Bank when the 53^rd Legislature only authorized the printing of L$6 billion for the replacement of mutilated banknotes.

It’s Mr. Browne’s Hot Pepper Newspaper that first reported the missing billions saga, prompting a nationwide reaction and call for investigation by the international community.

He said he welcomes the lawsuit and is prepared to go to court, but cautioned the lawmakers of what he described as “their cynical plan”.

The Hot Pepper publisher said he could not meet the Legislature at the time because he had a doctor’s appointment in London.

He also had to attend the General Assembly of ANOC and ANOCA.

However, according to him, he shortened his travel and returned to the country on Sunday, December 2, 2018 and has since been at his residence, having no intention of leaving the country soon.

He is of the belief that the lawmakers’ decision to serve him a writ for Action For Wrong with attachment on a Friday evening was only intended to have him placed behind bars since he would not have been able to secure a bond at that time.

He further said all attempts made by him so far to secure a bond have failed, having been informed by his friends in various insurance companies that they have been threatened with revocation of their license should any of them grant him insurance bond.