Monrovia – The mystery surrounding two individuals with codenames in the Global Witness Report alleging bribery by some past and current officials of government is about to be made known, Cllr. Fonati Koffa, the head of the Special Presidential Task Force probing the allegations has disclosed.
Report by: J.H. Webster Clayeh – [email protected]
“As a result of our trip, we are eighty percent closer to identifying Big Boy 1 and Big Boy 2. I will not tell you that now because I want to be a hundred percent sure, because by the time we list and invite the infamous Big Boy 1 and Big Boy 2, I want to be absolutely certain”, Cllr. Fonati Koffa, head, Special Presidential Task Force
Global Witness in its report which has now led to the indictment of several individuals failed to disclose the names of two individuals allegedly connected with the bribery saga only referring to them as Big Boy 1 and Big Boy 2.
The nomenclature has led to widespread speculations over the true identities of the individuals, one of the major remaining mysteries in the entire saga but Cllr. Koffa says there is high level of certainty that the two codenames will be known soon.
According to Cllr. Koffa based on a recent trip to the United Kingdom, the Task Force is now eighty percent close to identifying Big Boy 1 and Big Boy 2.
“As a result of our trip, we are eighty percent closer to identifying Big Boy 1 and Big Boy 2. I will not tell you that now because I want to be a hundred percent sure, because by the time we list and invite the infamous Big Boy 1 and Big Boy 2, I want to be absolutely certain”, Cllr. Koffa added.
He furthered: “we have two strong solid witnesses that we will unveil at the appropriate time. The prosecutor disclosure will have to make. We interviewed those witnesses, we believe that there is one other strong witness that we are now in negotiation with, who will be with us by the time this case gets to trial and we are hoping to be prepared for trial by the first week in August”.
Confident of guilty verdict
Cllr. Koffa says he now has sufficient evidence to bring down guilty those that have been indicted in the Sable mining scandal.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing Tuesday upon his arrival from more than a week long trip out of the country for meeting with officials of Global Witness and the American Interpol, Cllr. Koffa said “the work that were done in London especially by our team led by our chief prosecutor, Liberia’s county Attorney General was an invaluable work. I am sure the country and our government will hear a very short order how intense, connotative and vibrant that work was”.
He added: “we are proud of those countries’ effort to go there; and appreciate the work that they have done. We have discussed in detail where our evident is and as we roll it out in the court of law as we are required to do, we are certain that the jurors will return with a verdict of guilty”.
The head of the special Task Force praised Global Witness for what he called the level of cooperation that they have given to the investigation thus far.
Cllr. Koffa added that with the efforts of the British and American governments, in a not too distance future a mutual legal assistance agreement will be signed between the three countries (Liberia, Britain and the United States) for the purpose of prosecuting the case.
“We are very pleased and excited about the trip we took to the UK and the US. As a result of that trip, from our meetings we are likely going to be increasing the charges on at least three individuals who are already indicted and we will be inviting additional persons”, Cllr. Koffa said.
He continued: “Liberia is proud to be on the front line of this international effort in fighting corruption and we are proud to be the country that is taking the lead”, Cllr. Koffa asserted.
Although the alleged bribery scandal was first publicized by Global Witness, Cllr. Koffa said not everyone linked to the allegation has been indicted.
According to him, the fact that the Task Force has indicted some individuals’ means there is now sufficient evidence to start with the trail including those that have not been indicted.
US$91K spent so far
Cllr. Koffa said he does not know how much the entire trial will cost but disclosed that the Task Force has already spent ninety-one thousand United States Dollars on the case.
Although, the trip to London was not intended for meeting with Sable Mining, Cllr. Koffa said to get to Sable miming was a lot more than individuals residing in Liberia, noting that with the help of the government of Great Britain and that of America Sable mining will be brought to Liberia.
“The trip to London did not include a meeting with any criminal defender.”
“In this case we are happy with the role the British government is taking. We are happy with our coordination with Interpol and at the appropriate time we are positive that Sable mining will be brought under the jurisdiction of our court”, he said.
The head of the Task Force also said they have passed the point of sitting with Sable mining to discuss the Global Witness scandal, adding that Sable mining refused to give documents though the ministry of Information, saying Sable mining is now a criminal defendant.
“We have passed that point to deal with Sable mining. That is why we have invited them through the Minister of Information to provide several documentations but they have refused. “
“At this point we have sufficient evident to indict them and they are now criminal defendant and we have no intention of going to have a private meeting to hear their side. Their side of the story will be told by them in a Liberian court before a Liberian jury”, Cllr. Koffa concluded.