Editorial
We Welcome Probe Into Snowe’s Allegations
- Details
- Published on Monday, 05 November 2012 01:31
- Written by The NEWS
Since former House Speaker and District #6 Representative Edwin M. Snowe issued a press statement in which he indicted the Chairman of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), Robert Sirleaf, on a number of allegations, he has come under torrential attacks from individuals in government and those in civil society.
The Lawmaker’s message was cogent and direct, and he raised some irrefutable issues that require getting to the bottom of the matter and not calling for his cruxification.
Last week, Representative Snowe told the nation that the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) Chairman, who is a son and also Senior Advisor to President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, is in possession of an American passport # 2181983813 issued June 7, 2006. He also alleged that Mr. Sirleaf holds a Liberian Diplomatic Passport number, D 000189, issued December 2, 2009, which puts him in a dual citizen capacity.
Representative Snowe argued that the laws of Liberia do not grant dual citizenship. On the basis of his argument, Mr. Snowe requested President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to discharge Mr. Sirleaf from all activities of government and be handed over to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution on allegation that he violated the Aliens and Nationality Law of Liberia.
Representative Snowe’s statement, though unprecedented, contains gush of allegations and alleged documentary evidence he displayed at the news conference suggest probing the matter rather than going after him.
Our law does not provide for dual citizenship and if such a matter is raised and the evidence is supported by law, it is only practical for the Ministry of Justice to begin the probe in order to establish the accuracy and legality of the argument propounded by the Lawmaker.
Snowe’s argument against dual citizenship appears strong, but it is not a strange phenomenon in Liberia with regard to officials of government carrying an American and Liberian passports at the same time. We believe Mr. Sirleaf is not the only person in government in possession of Liberian and American passports. There are others who are presumably in such practice.
Regarding the oil issue, Mr. Snowe claimed that he was treated without dignity - as a lawmaker - by President Sirleaf and her son when he took officials of Gazprom to her resident. Snowe said he was left under the palaver hut (in the cold) while the President and her son discussed with officials of Gazprom.
Anyone reading from Snowe’s statement understands that this mission was selfish and not in the interest of the Liberian people.
Nevertheless, the specific issued regarding dual citizenship must be investigated by the Justice Ministry to establish whether or not Mr. Sirleaf is in violation of the law.
