Margibi County – In the wake of the Global Witness allegations of bribery involving key government officials in including Counselor Varney Sherman of the Sherman and Sherman Law Firm and House Speaker Alex Tyler, the management of Firestone Liberia, Inc. has issued a statement expressing its continuation of business with the Sherman & Sherman Law Firm.
The Liberia News Agency quoting a copy of the statement issued on May 25, 2016, the management of Firestone said Varney Sherman and the Sherman & Sherman firm have served as legal counsel to Firestone Natural Rubber Company and Firestone Liberia, Inc. on several matters during their longtime presence in Liberia.
Counselor Varney’s Law Firm, the Sherman and Sherman Law Firm is providing legal services to the management of Firestone Natural Rubber Corporation and many multi-national in Liberia.
Recently, the UK based watchdog, Global Witness issued a statement accusing several key officials of the Liberian Government including the National Chairman of the governing Unity Party, (UP) and Grand Cape Mount County Senator, Counselor Varney Sherman, House Speaker Alex Tyler, including some former members of the Liberian government of bribery.
The Global Witness reports said the “Sable Mining Company arrived in Liberia in early 2010, almost all of the country’s most valuable iron ore fields had already been parceled out but however Just one prize asset remained and it was the Wologizi range located in Lofa County .
But Andrew Groves, CEO of the Sable company was prepared to do anything to get it in favor of his company, (Sable Mining) to when the bid when it is tendered by the Liberian Government.
“When the country’s public procurement law interfered with their plans, they set out to change it. Leaked documents show how their London-listed Sable Mining spent hundreds of thousands of dollars bribing top officials of the Liberian Government”, the Global Witness document is quoted to have said.
Mr. Groves needed a well-connected lawyer to do his job and so was recommended Counselor Varney Sherman.
Counselor Sherman begun to work his way out with a already plan conceived to bribe a long list of key government officials that will lead to circumventing the Public Procurement and Concession Commission, (PPCC) laws.
“Behind the scheme was the chairman of Liberia’s ruling party, Counselor Varney Sherman who doubled as Sable’s lawyer to start the ball rolling”.
By August 2010 Sable had paid out more than $200,000 earmarked for some of the most powerful people in Liberia: the speakers of both houses of parliament, senators, ministerial aides and at least one minister.
“Throughout this time, Firestone has had no knowledge of any ethical or legal concerns with their services to us or any of the firm’s other clients”, the statement said.
“We are aware of the allegations in the Global Witness report and will monitor the progress of the ongoing investigations”, the release concluded.
Another client of the Sherman and Sherman Law Firm the Salala Rubber Corporation, (SRC) when contacted via mobile phone, its Administrative and Human Resource Manager, Jallah Mensah said his management had no comment on the matter.
Support Independent Journalism
Your support helps FrontPage Africa continue delivering independent, credible, and impactful journalism. Every contribution strengthens our ability to investigate, inform, and hold power accountable while keeping quality journalism accessible to our readers.
Support our journalism or subscribe to receive the latest FrontPage Africa stories and updates.
