Bryant’s Arrest and Imprisonment 12/13/07

Liberians from all walks of life staggered over news of former Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant arrest and subsequent imprisonment at the Monrovia Central Prison (South Beach) upon the orders of Jude Boimah Kontoe of Criminal Court “C”, where he is being tried for allegedly stealing US$1.5 m during his tenure as transitional head of state.

The former Chairman was reminded in prison for one night for his blatant refusal to be served notice on several times to appear in court, criminal court “C” officials said.

The unfortunate and disgraceful episode which transpired last weekend later allow Bryant out of the jail-house through the intervention of some influential Liberian citizens and some West African leaders, this paper gathered.

Bryant however appeared before the court on Monday, 10th December and apologized for his refusal to avail himself to court and has been pardon and given three days which ends today, Thursday to reconstitute his defense team and appear before the court to answer to the charge of Economic-sabotage.

Imprisonment is a part of prosecution because if a person is guilty of a trial he definitely goes to jail or faces the related alternative, something President Sirleaf is fully aware of. If the person being tried refuses to go to court for reason best known to himself, as in the case of Bryant---the court has no option but to act, and of course the court acted as in the case of the Former Chairman.

President Sirleaf is fully aware of this, and it is believed that the arrest and jailing of Chairman Bryant met her ardent blessing.

Quite nauseatingly for political pundits and critical thinkers, the president through her Press-Secretary, Cyrus Baddio expressed regret over the Bryant’s saga, something political observers termed as a total mockery to the Former Chairman last weekend’s situation.

“The arrest and confinement of Bryant was in line with the rule of law--- what is than there for Madam Sirleaf to regret, is she pretending in order to save face within the public “, Thomas Kerkular questioned.

President Sirleaf is on record for saying that all those who will be found guilty of squandering the Liberian people money, will be burnt, and that meaning is cleared. Why than regret the arrest and distension of a man who refused to go to court to answer to charges of allegedly stealing the country’s money? Which way is than this president?

Even President Sirleaf’s purported regret is been dragged into confusion as her Information Minister Laurence Bropleh is saying one thing while her Press Secretary is saying another.

Bropleh is saying that president Sirleaf regret over the former chairman refusal to cooperate with the court and not his arrest and imprisonment, as she wants to see the law take its course, while Baddio is saying that the president regret the latter arrest and subsequent jailing--- this confusion alone brings to mind more questions than answers.

However, critical thinkers are admonishing the Liberian leader and her two officials to stop joking and mocking the Bryant situation, and concentrate on the wanton economic hardship which has engulfed the already war ravaged Liberian people.