The legal team of David Kortie affectionately call friend of all Presidents has threatened a pro-democracy group, the Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia (EFFL) for ‘falsely’ accusing their client on allegation that he has received Two Hundred and Forty Thousand Dollars from President George Weah through the National Security Agency (NSA).
The legal team of Mr. Kortie from the Allison & Associates Law Firm headed by former Attorney General of Liberia in a communication posted on an online newspaper, the African Star on behalf of its client (David Kortie) is requesting an open apology from the Commander-In-Chief EFFL Emmanuel Gonquoi on his behalf or face legal action for an allegation leveled against their client.
The EFFL allegedly accused Mr. Kortie of accepting $240,000 (Two Hundred and Forty Thousand) Dollars through the National Security Agency (NSA) from President George M. Weah, for the construction of a statute of the President which was dedicated recently in Monrovia.
According to a copy of the letter, which is in possession of African Star, Counselor Francis Johnson Morris of the Johnson, Allison & Associates Law firm in wrote the “Commander-in-Chief” of the EFFL Emmanuel Gonquoi, “We urge you to retract the allegation and apologize to Mr. Kortie or alternatively provide proof of your said allegations within seventy-two hours (72) or face legal consequences for damaging our client’s name and reputation…”
Kortie is one of the founding members of the All Liberia Coalition Political Party (ALCOP), he crossed over from the former ruling National Patriotic Party (NPP) of Charles Taylor and later joined the former ruling Unity Party from where he was expelled in March, 2017. He then moved over to the MOVEE (Movement for Economic Empowerment).
Kortie is reported to associate with individuals in the orbit of the President of Liberia George M. Weak. However, it is unclear if he has a direct connection with the President.
It can be recalled that in October, 2006, then President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, according to an Executive Mansion statement, “…described as unacceptable an action taken by Commissioner David E. Kortie of the Governance Reform Commission (GRC), leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant on the Chairman of Commission, Former Interim President, Amos Sawyer, by the Monrovia Magisterial Court, and has called on Commissioner Kortie to withdraw the case.
President Johnson-Sirleaf, who has also been in discussions with the Commissioner of the GRC, Amos Sawyer, assured Dr. Sawyer that action is being taken to address problems facing the Commission. In a statement issued in Monrovia, the President said she is fully aware of the differences among the Commissioners and has encouraged them to amicably resolve their differences and work together in the interest of the country. President Sirleaf said in as much as she recognizes the rights of citizens to seek redress through the courts, she is disappointed at the unfolding events at the Governance Reform Commission.”
In March 2015, the independent local Inquirer newspaper reported that Mr. Kortie, a former Director of Communications at the Ministry of Public Works and the Director of Flashpoint Newspaper, had been ordered arrested by the Criminal Court C in Monrovia upon following indictment by Liberia’s Anti -Corruption Commission (LACC). According to the paper at the time, “The indictment from the grand jury that between March 2010 and July 2010 or there about, the above named defendants, of the City of Monrovia, acting jointly and or severally in various capacities, in total violation of the statutory laws of Liberia made and provided, and with criminal and wicked intent to deprive the government and people of Liberia through the execution of Contract No. MPW-SF-0008-06/10 valued at US$12,600 on May 1, 2010…”
Government lawyers in June, 2015 dropped charges against Kortie.
The Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia or EFFL is styled after the South African group led by South African political opposition firebrand Julius Malema.
The group in Liberia has been very critical of the Weah Government and called for revision of the APM Terminals concession agreement, repeal of current laws
which restrict “Freedom of Expression” and free speech and investigation into the “missing $16 billion” Liberian dollars.
The EFFL has also alleged that it had in its possession “information” about President George M. Weah funding efforts in the National Legislature to impeach Supreme Court Justice Kabineh Janneh. The EFFL, however, provided no proof of its allegation.
It also has called for Liberia’s anti-graft agency to investigate the refusal of Finance and Planning Minister Samuel Tweah to declare his personal assets in compliance with the country’s Code of Conduct stipulation for public official.
Comments are closed.