Commissioner Sheik Kafumba Konneh of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has denied claims by Senator Prince Johnson of Nimba County that he (Konneh) participated in the Liberian conflict.

	• Sheik Kafumba Konneh

Last week, Senator Johnson, a former leader of one of the warring factions, the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL) accused Commissioner Konneh and others of not having the credentials to serve on the commission because of their past roles in the political and military affairs of the state.

According to Senator Johnson, Konneh supported the ULIMO-K faction, and as such could not be the one to ask him (Johnson) to appear before it, and asked that he (Konneh) resigns from the Commission as precondition for his appearance.

But Commissioner did not take Johnson’s claims lightly, denying participation in the war. He told our reporter that he never took part in the war as alleged by the senator.

He said when the factions reigned war and terror on the nation and its people, he was totally involved with preaching and advocating peace, to resolve the conflict.

Commissioner Konneh said his stance on the war had been that the factions return to dialogue as the only means through which peace could be ensured, emphasizing that his accuser knows who he is and who he been over the years.

Describing himself as an honest and principal minded individual, the TRC Commissioner said Senator Johnson was embarking on distracting tactics because “he does not have the guts to appear before the TRC.”

“He is designing techniques, such as castigating and tainting the characters of the TRC commissioners as a plausible means of invading appearing before the TRC. Senator Johnson should not stand in the street, castigate and taint the good characters of the TRC Commissioners.” the Muslim scholar warned.

He added that if Senator Johnson has anything to say, he must come to the TRC, establish and substantiate what he has to say and should not use reputable and credible Liberians as scapegoats in covering his past.

Konneh said: “I want him to know that I was one of those whose life was threatened by all of the warring factions. Let him not be afraid of his own shadow. Let him come and appear before the TRC and speak the truth because it shall set him free.”

He added, “I believe when he appears before the TRC and speaks the truth, God will help him and not us at the TRC. Our task is to prepare our report and recommendations and send same to the government.”

According to Konneh, it was wrong for people to adopt attitudes symbolic of their not being willing to appear before the TRC, because “appearing before the TRC is in the interest of the Nimba County Senator.”

Gov't Begs For More Time - In Bishop Quao’s Murder Case
By George J. Borteh

The Magistrate of the Monrovia City Court, Wanda Sanda, has granted a ‘Motion for Continuous’ filed by prosecution in the Bishop John Quao Murder Case.

In its motion, state lawyers led by Montserrado County Attorney, Samuel Jacobs prayed court for more time to enable government gathers what he called “needed evidence and witnesses”.

The government of Liberia is prosecuting two individuals, Samuel Amofia and Rev. Blamah Fatoma -closed associates of the late Bishop John Quoa – in connection with his murder. He was killed at his Logan Town resident about two months ago.

Before the ruling on the motion, the court granted about 10 minutes argument during which government’s lawyers prayed the court to consider the motion because “it was necessary for their witnesses to have collaborated testimonies”.

Apart from that, the State also prayed the Court for a Writ of Subpoena to compare its witnesses to be at the court and on time to move ahead with the trial in what they called “a smooth and transparent manner for the betterment of the accused.”

In counter-argument, defense Lawyers led by Cllr. Dempster Brown argued that the Writ of Subpoena as requested by the state was unnecessary because, “the state has more resources at its disposal to ask for more time”.

In resisting the motion for the Writs of Subpoena and Continuous, Cllr. Brown argued that the Supreme Court was totally against the issue of ‘Continuous’ in any murder case.

He argued that since the state has accused his clients, the burden of proof rest with the government, instead of asking for more time in the case. However, the case is expected to resume based on an assignment to be issued in a shortest period, in response to the state’s request regarding the readiness of its witnesses.