MONROVIA – Judge A. Blamo Dixon of Criminal Court ‘A’ has acquitted former officials of the National Housing Authority who have been on trial for alleged corrupt practices.
“Whether or not the prosecution proved its case beyond all reasonable? The answer is ‘no’. The prosecution willfully failed to establish its prima facie against the defendants in the absence of Augustine Weah and Emmanuel Taosoba (officials of the Burkinabe firm who allegedly brought the money). There is no evidence at all to convict the defendants. There is no proven evidence because Emmanuel Taosoba and Augustine Weah, [also] defendants, escaped the bailiwick of the Republic of Liberia.”
– Judge A. Blamo Dixon, Criminal Court ‘C’, Temple of Justice
Mr. Duannah Siryon, Tugbeh C. Tugbeh and Isaac C. Robert were indicted by the State for Economic Sabotage, Criminal Conspiracy, Bribery, Misapplication of Entrusted and Criminal facilitation after FrontPageAfrica’s publication of a leaked secret recording in which they were heard discussing and expressing their dissatisfaction with the disbursement of some US$80,000 given by a Burkinabe real estate firm among themselves.
They were indicted on December 14, 2018. They were acquitted on Friday.
“Whether or not the prosecution proved its case beyond all reasonable? The answer is ‘no’. The prosecution willfully failed to establish its prima facie against the defendants in the absence of Augustine Weah and Emmanuel Taosoba (officials of the Burkinabe firm who allegedly brought the money). There is no evidence at all to convict the defendants. There is no proven evidence because Emmanuel Taosoba and Augustine Weah, [also] defendants, escaped the bailiwick of the Republic of Liberia,” Judge Blamo ruled.
He continued: “Wherefore and in view of the foregoing and in consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case and the laws controlling, it is the final verdict or judgement of the Criminal Court ‘C’ that Duannah Siryon, Tugbeh C. Tugbeh and Isaac C. Robert are hereby adjudged not guilty of Economic Sabotage, Criminal Conspiracy, Misapplication of Entrusted property and others. They are hereby set free from further answering to the multiple crimes.”
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