Officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) have arrested a 25-years-old with some military hardware while attempting to sell them.

According to a Police charge sheet dated on July 17, 2008 and Case number 711-08, suspect Maxwell Julius was arrested on July 15, 2008 at Star Base, operations headquarters of the United Nations Missions in Liberia (UNMIL) on the Bushrod Island, opposite the Coast Guard Base.

Police charge sheet also revealed that Julius admitted to receiving eight uniforms and three military belts from one Abinokhaumo, an UNMIL soldier during preliminary investigation conducted by police days after his arrest.

Suspect Julius also told the police investigation board that another UNMIL soldier, identified as Pilipino gave him two military sleeping kits and five military caps to be sold for US$35.99.

The defendant added that the proceeds from the sale of the military hard wears were to be given to the two UNMIL officers, and will in return give him his compensation.

Police have accordingly forwarded the man to the Monrovia City Court to face trial after it charged him with “Illegal Possession of Military Hardware”. The crime, Police say it is in total violation of 17.11 of the new penal law of Liberia and at the same time defendant, Julius filed a Criminal Appearing Bond before the Monrovia City Court yesterday.

Following the filing of his bond, he was immediately released from further detention, but it is not clear as to when he would reappear in court.

Credible information gathered by this paper revealed that one of the accused UNMIL soldiers is at large while the other is expected to appear in court to testify to his role play in the allegation.

Liberty Party Responds To NEC Boss

The Liberty Party has responded claims by the Chairman of the National Elections Commission, James Fromoyan, that the current leadership of the party is unconstitutional and lacks legitimacy.

In its response, the party said the NEC chairman demonstrated “an already known fact that he is neither objective nor impartial, and therefore not competent to preside over the 2011 Presidential and General Elections.”

Liberty Party said during a press conference on Monday, July 21, 2008, Chairman Fromoyan was quoted as saying “the current leader-ship of the opposition Liberty Party is unconstitutional and lacks legitimacy.”

A Liberty Party statement quoted Chairman Fromoyan as saying that “Article 79(e) of the Liberia constitution provides for an election of party’s officials at least once in six years.”

According to the party, the NEC boss claimed that the leadership of Liberty Party was instead handpicked by Cllr. Charles Brumskine, in contravention of the Constitution.”

Although the Elections Commission Chairman said that Cllr. Brumskine on February 7, 2006 informed it that the leadership of the party has been endorsed by the general membership of the party, “he (Fromoyan) regretted doing business with an ‘illegal leadership’.”

“We had overlooked the issue because we had been preoccupied with other important matters.” The Honorable Chairman concluded by saying that “We can’t take action now because we are in court. People will misconstrue our stance against the party as reprisal,” Liberty Party noted in its response to the NEC chairman.

Cataloguing series actions against the party, it recalled “Within the last six months the Chairman’s rhetoric against Liberty Party have proceeded unabated. Earlier this year, he referred to Liberty Party “as a group of hooligans that has lost its way.”

Liberty Party said Chairman Fromoyan is aware that it is in compliance with the Constitution of Liberia, because its constitution and bylaws, which are filed with the NEC, provide in Article V (1).

For example, the party said, the National Convention is the highest decision making body, elect all national officers, and adopt platform, policies, and programs of the party, among other things.

The party wonders why it is being accused of violating the Constitution of Liberia, and why would the NEC of its own volition raise such ridiculous allegations against it. It is also wonders as to whether those were attempts to distract from the real issues facing our country.

In the face of the damnation, the party has dug into the heels, saying “whatever the case, Mr. Fromoyan is clearly beyond redemption.”

“So we call upon President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, as Cllr. Charles W. Brumskine did prior to his departure from the country, to cooperate with Liberty Party and other major opposition parties in restructuring the NEC—amending the election laws, ensuring among other things, the establishment of an Election Court,” the party’s statement under the signature of its National Chairman Israel Akinsanya said.

Recalling President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf position on the June 27th elections in Zimbabwe, when she called on the African Union to denounce the elections, the party reminded the president that all in not well in Liberia.

As such, Liberty Party called upon her to ensure that Liberia does not have a replay of 1985 in 2011, and that she governs better than what she described as having obtained in Zimbabwe.