Having been arrested about two weeks ago in connection with acts of alleged robbery, the Government of Liberia has sent four disrobed officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) to court for prosecution.

	• Col. Beatrice Munah Sieh

Police and court documents showed slight difference in charges leveled against the men who are expected to appear at the Monrovia City Court.

They were disrobed, in keeping with law, to enable them undergo prosecution. The accused are patrolmen T-Max Brown, Abel Tue, Bobbie Brown and Harris Q. Blackie.

Police charge sheet revealed that the charge of “Robbery” while the writ from the Monrovia City Court revealed the charge of “armed robbery.”

According to police charge sheet, the accused, on July7, 2008, broke into the homes some residents of the GSA Road who they threatened, manhandled, cuffed and robbed several valuable items.

The writ of arrest which was issued on the four disrobed LNP officers said they were dressed in their uniforms and heavily armed with pistols during the execution of the alleged act of armed robbery.

At a news conference last week, Inspector General of the LNP, Col. Beatrice M. Sieh said the four officers were among nine officers accused of robbery.

At the same time, the four accused officers have been detained at the Monrovia Central Prison pending trial. However, reports in the possession of The Analyst revealed that two of the nine officers who were earlier arrested for alleged robbery have been released.

Lower House Rejects NIC Boss’ Excuse - Given Thursday To Appear

The House of Representatives yesterday unanimously voted to reject a communication from the Chairman of the National Investment Commission (NIC), Richard Tolbert, requesting the body to grant him excuse on the basis of poor health.

	• Richard Tolbert - NIC

He should have appeared yesterday before the full bench of the plenary, to show cause why he should not be held in contempt.

The House of Representatives sometimes ago summoned the NIC boss to answers to allegations that he is granting duty free privileges to certain business houses and companies with out the consent of the National Legislature

The decision to summon him (NIC boss) followed a communication from Maryland County Representative, James Biney. In his communication to his colleagues, the Maryland lawmaker complained that Chairman Tolbert of giving hundred percent duty free privilege to business institutions and companies, thereby depriving the Liberian government of huge revenues.

The Maryland County lawmaker then supported his argument with “physical and documentary evidences”, which to a large extent convinced the lawmakers to summon the NIC boss.

It has been couple of weeks now since the lawmakers took the decision to hold Mr. Tolbert in contempt, but according to the lawmakers, he has written on three different occasions, asking for excuse.

But some lawmakers termed those as mere unnecessary excuses intended to delay his appearance before them (lawmakers) to provide explanations on his alleged unilateral action.

The NIC boss promised to appear before the lawmakers at their regular Tuesday’s Session, but again failed to so, blaming it on poor health, and requested the body to give him up to July 31, 2008.

In his latest communication, he told the lawmakers that he has just returned from a long trip in Europe with illness, As such, he said he needed medical attention to enable him get back on his feet.

Contents of Tolbert’s letter did not go down too well with the lawmakers who became angry and took serious exception to what they called “unwarranted behavior of the NIC boss.”

They argued that Tolbert was guilty and that his request for excuse was a ploy to evade justice. According to some lawmakers, the millions of dollars that are unaccounted for as a result of alleged duty free privileges granted by Mr. Tolbert should have been placed in the 2008/229 fiscal budget to cater for important national program.

Some lawmakers argued that his excuse should not be granted because he is not sick. The lawmakers were divided on accepting his requesting or rejecting it. Maryland County Representative, Dr. Bhoffal Chambers and others took exception to the decision to reject the NIC boss’ communication on ground that they (lawmakers) have no control over sickness.

They accused their colleagues of attempting to politicize the issue, and urged them to grant him his excuse.

After many hours of intense debate on the matter, Lofa County Representative, Eugene Fallah Kpaka made a motion against Mr. Tolbert July31 request, and moved that he be made to appear on Thursday July 24, 2008.