IPNEWS: CENTAL urging President Joseph Boakai to reconsider his decision to appoint the very individuals whose appointments to the LTA sparked the controversy, leading to the Supreme Court’ ruling.
Recently, President Joseph Boakai suspended Garrison Yealue, Chairperson, and Elizabeth Dorkin, Commissioner of the Governance Commission with immediate effect for activities inconsistent with the Act creating the institution.
The Liberian Leader also suspended Edwina Zackpah, Israel Akinsanya, Zotawon Titus, James Gbarwea, and Osborne Diggs, Chairperson and Commissioners respectively of the Liberia Telecommunication Authority for allegations of questionable financial transactions.
Addressing a news conference Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Monrovia, the Executive Director of CENTAL, Anderson Miamen said the institution believes that the President’s unlawful decision sends a very wrong signal about his dedication to the rule of law, especially in this instant case.
He called on the Liberian Chief Executive to genuinely accord tenured officials, substantive due process and not a mere procedural one that helps attain his goal of replacing tenured officials, noting that such is important if the Supreme Court’s ruling must be sincerely respected and upheld.
History have shown that series of suspended Commissioners of the LTA, have never returned to work. Referencing same in 2009, under President Sirleaf and 2020, under President Weah.
It can be recalled that President Jospeh N. Boakai, Sr. on Friday April 26,204, suspended the entire Board of Commissioners at the LTA on grounds of alleged financial malfeasances at the institution. In same communication, the President commissioned an investigation of the LTA and appointed an acting Board of Commissioners to steer the affairs of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority.
However, the suspended Board of Commissioners prayed for a writ of prohibition against the President’s suspension and filed a bill of information before the Honorable Supreme Court.
This followed an earlier ruling by the Honorable Supreme Court, nullifying President Boakai’s appointments to tenured positions citing procedural errors.
In a twist, President Boakai appointed an acting Board of Commissioners at the LTA while the suspended commissioners undergo investigations.
Those appointed are Abdullah Kamara, Chair, Patrick Honnah, Clarence Massaquoi, Angela Bush and Ben Fofana, those of whom appointment sparked the controversy leading to the Supreme court’s ruling.
