IPNews-Monrovia: Barely a day after the Independent Probe Newspaper, resurrected a long lingering list persons and institutions destin for prosecution for alleged financial crimes, former Justice Minister Benedict Sannoh, is calling on the government to commence prosecution or clarify his involvement into financial crimes.

In a letter sent to Justice Minister and Attorney General, Hon. Cllr. F. Musa Dean, detested the prolonged delay by the government to prosecute persons and institutions it deem coupable for financial Crimes during the former government.

Cllr. Sannoh stated that the continuous appearance of his name in the media for alleged financial crimes without a formal indictment is unacceptable.

Cllr. Sannoh, insistence come within 72 hours after IPNews carried in it’s May 27, 2020 edition captioned – “Lewis Brown, Patrick Sendolo, others to face Financial Crimes Prosecution; a leaked MOJ Release reveals list of Alleged Persons & Institutions”.

Sannoh detested that the conspicuous delay by the government of Liberia has the propensity to cast further doubts and bring into questioning the high earned credibility of some who have dedicated themselves to professionally contribute to national growth and development of Liberia.

“According to the Article, the MOJ purported release states that the named persons and institutions were investigated and audited by the LACC and the GAC and found liable to have stolen millions of dollars.”

” My name, Benedict Sannoh, was listed as one of several persons from the Liberian Maritime Authority liable in the amount of US$900,429.52″

“This is not the first time that the Ministry of Justice has placarded my name and my face along with others on front pages of Newspapers accusing me of corruption and theft without proceeding to have me indicted and prosecuted consistent with due process of law. I refuse to accept the fact that the Ministry of Justice has unlimited power and authority to make unfounded and defamatory allegations bordering on criminal coercion against former government officials, with impunity and callous disregard of the potential damage to their lives and reputation. ”

“The allegations against me are false, do not have any legal basis, and were made with full knowledge of their falsity and the lack of legal basis. Hence, I feel I’m being persecuted.” Cllr. Sannoh detested.

The long time legal expert argued that ‘ the objective of prosecution is to vindicate the integrity of the law and to ensure that Justice is done consistent with due process. It is not to persecute honest citizens who have served their country well.’

Sannoh: “For the five years that I served the Government and people of Liberia as Deputy Minister of Justice for Economic Affairs, and subsequently as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Republic of Liberia, I never at any time engaged in any act of impropriety, let alone theft and corruption. Whatever I did was consistent with the oath I took to support, uphold, protect and defend the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Liberia and to bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic, and I’m very proud of my record.”

“I was never at any time accused, investigated and or audited by the LACC and or the GAC, nor have I, at any time, been found liable to have stolen millions of dollars, as alleged by the Ministry of Justice. These allegations are false and are tantamount to deliberate attempts to assassinate my character and impugn my integrity which i have labored hard to build over the years at both national and international levels. Hence, I refuse to roll over for the Ministry of Justice or anyone for that matter, to walk over my back in the guise of fighting corruption.”

“Accordingly, I beg the indulgence of the Ministry of Justice to clarify publicly as to whether or not the May 27, 2020 Independent Probe Article, which has been attributed to the Ministry of Justice is true; and if not true, to issue a public statement denying and retracting the story in so far as it relates to Counsellor Benedict Sannoh.”

“If however, the Ministry of Justice stands by the Article as published, then and in that case, I beg the indulgence of the Ministry of Justice, consistent with its statutory duty to prosecute those who are accused of committing crimes, to proceed to have me arrested, indicted and prosecuted immediately so that these allegations can be brought to rest by my trial, conviction or acquittal.”