By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor In Monrovia
Three members of the Sinoe County Legislative Caucus, Senators J. Milton Teahjay, Cllr. Joseph Nagbe and Representative Matthew Zarzar, are engaged into serious war of words and accusing one another of corruption.
Senators Teahjay and Nagbe and Representative Zarzar are pitched against each other in disturbing war of words. Senator Nagbe said it is regrettable and embarrassing for the level of time he had known Senator Teahjay and the kind defense he had built for him and later realized that he’s nothing but a ‘thief and bad’ person.
Nagbe said at the time he got sick and was taken to Ghana for treatment, upon his return to the country, the Liberian Senate raised about LD$600,000 and gave it to him as treatment package. He disclosed that Teahjay reportedly received the money with the understanding that the money would have been taken to him, but he only received LD200, 000.
“Only God in heaven knows where the rest of the money went. Teahjay did not think that this man is from sick bed and let carry his money; instead, the money drastically reduced in his hands,” he alleged.
He further alleged that Teahjay cannot be trusted at no time, “Teahjay can never be trusted, he’s deceitful, he lies a lot,” he said.
Adding his voice to the argument, Representative Zarzar said that during the days of Mr. Teahjay as superintendent of Sinoe County, the Internal Affairs was provided US$3,109,068.64 for the 2014 Independence Day celebrations, but the General Auditing Commission audit reported that Senator Teahjay squandered US$727,669.20.
He narrated that the GAC’s report stated that out of the 74 development projects duly approved by the Sinoe Development Council with total cost of US$2, 646, 870, 00, only three projects were completed.
“This clearly shows that Teahjay cleverly diverted the council development funds to his personal aggrandizement, thus depriving the people of Kpanyan, Jaedae, Jurzon districts, Greenville City and the rest of badly needed development. Sinoe County was deprived of development while Teahjay enriched himself at the detriment of the county,” he said.
But responding to the two, Teajay said that the two individuals are the ones that are stalling the development of the county. He noted that during lawsuit both Nagbe and Zarzar testified against him, saying that’s highest-level hate being displaced by them.
He threatened that Senator Nagbe and Zarzar will be expelled from the county’s legislative caucus if Zarzar and Nagbe did bring the name of the county to public dispute. He pointed out that Nagbe and Zarzar are most ungrateful people he ever met.
Last year, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) commenced the prosecution of former superintendent Milton Teahjay, now Senator of Sinoe County at the 14th Judicial Circuit Court in Rivercess County.
The prosecution was in relations to allegation that the former superintendent misappropriated proceeds from the sale of illegally tapped rubber and funds from the rental of county land to a logging company. He was also accused of violating established government regulations in keeping with the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) Acts in awarding several contracts.
The charges of economic sabotage, misappropriation of entrusted properties and criminal conspiracy were brought against Senator Teahjay.
The ruling of the 14th Judicial Circuit Court of Rivercess County brought a guilty verdict against Teahjay for violating the procedures and processes of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) in the awarding of contracts for the implementation of county development projects.
However, LACC says it is gravely concerned about the Judge’s decision to ignore other charges in the indictment against Senator Teahjay, which carry greater magnitude including Economic Sabotage, Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Facilitation and Misapplication of Entrusted Property.
The Court has accordingly fined Senator Teahjay US$50,000.00 to be paid into Government’s revenue within the period of nine months and failure to do so would lead to his arrest and imprisonment until the amount is paid and a clerk certificate obtained.
