• No ‘Black List’ –CDC Refutes Media Reports, Source: The ANALYST
• Good Start! …As AfDB Commits USD10M for Budgetary Support, Power, Others for Weah’s Government, Source: The INQUIRER
• Ellen Wants New Government Remove Libel Law …As She Dedicates Partially Completed LBS Building, Source: The INQUIRER
• Immigration, Labor Taken to Court for Bad Practices, Source: The INQUIRER
• Subdued! Ellen Fights to Rescue Damaged Legacy, Source: New DEMOCRAT
• The People will be the Judge –Boakai, Source: New DEMOCRAT
• Gender Minister Cassell Surrenders in Debt Case, Source: New DEMOCRAT
• Cracking Down On Narcotic Drugs Trade In Liberia -LDEA arrests two Nigerians in USD61,000 Cocaine scam, Sources: Daily OBSERVER and News Public Trust

No ‘Black List’ –CDC Refutes Media Reports, Source: The ANALYST

The Transition Office of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has rejected widespread social media reports which claimed the party has blacklisted a certain group of Liberians with a master plan to discriminate against them.

The CDC Transition Office in a strongly worded press release issued Tuesday said: “The attention of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has been drawn to widespread reports on social and other media referencing a so-called “Black List” or “Rest List” from the CDC. The incoming ruling party wishes to categorically deny, refute and disassociates itself from the existence of any List targeting any group of Liberians for discrimination in any form or manner. President-elect George Weah and Vice President-elect, Jewel Howard Taylor are committed to a peaceful and prosperous Liberia with equal opportunities for all Liberians as provided for, under the 1986 Liberian constitution.” The release was signed by Janga Kowo, head of CDC Transition Secretariat.

Good Start! …As AfDB Commits USD10M for Budgetary Support, Power, Others for Weah’s Government, Source: The INQUIRER

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has committed USD10 million as budget support to the incoming administration of President-elect George Weah. Speaking Monday when he was admitted into the Order of the Star of Africa with the Grade of Grand Band during a Special Investiture held at the Foreign Ministry in Monrovia, AfDB president Dr. Akinwumi Adesina on behalf of the bank committed the USD10 million as budget support to the Weah administration, this paper reports. Dr. Adesina also committed USD7 million to Liberia’s agricultural sector and an additional USD33 million to improve the energy sector. The AfDB boss said the bank remains a true partner to Liberia and pledged the bank’s continuous support to the development of the country.

Ellen Wants New Government Remove Libel Law …As She Dedicates Partially Completed LBS Building, Source: The INQUIRER

In continuation of the dedication of projects in her last week of leadership, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Monday dedicated the main broadcast complex of the state-owned Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), which has been lying in ruins since the outbreak of the civil unrest in the country, this paper reports. In a brief statement at the dedicatory ceremony, President Sirleaf said the renovation of the broadcast complex is an evidence of the determination of commitment and dedication. She lauded the LBS Board and Management for the achievements in renovating the LBS building. She said the outgoing administration was committed to repealing the People’s Redemption Council (PRC) Decree 88A, something the administration succeeded in doing.

Immigration, Labor Taken to Court for Bad Practices, Source: The INQUIRER

The Foundation for Human Rights and Democracy (FOHRD) through its executive director, Danieletta Sleyon has taken the Liberian government to court for several violations, this paper reports. FOHRD, a human rights group sued the government at the Civil Law Court in Monrovia for an action for the Petition for Declaratory Judgment, Revocation of Work Permits, and Resident Permits of Unlawfully granting jobs to certain unqualified foreign workers for the purposes of taking and occupying jobs reserved for Liberians. FOHRD also filed a Motion for Issuance of Subpoena Duces Tecum against the Labor Ministry to enable its legal counsel, Aloysius Toe, use certain records from the Ministry which will enable them to obtain relevant and admissible evidence.

Subdued! Ellen Fights to Rescue Damaged Legacy, Source: New DEMOCRAT

According to New Democrat, departing President Ellen Johnson is no doubt experiencing the most troubled moment of her political career as she struggles to repair her damaged image as a traitor. The ruling Unity Party (UP) on 13 January expelled President Sirleaf for sabotage and undermining the party’s 2017 presidential campaign and supporting the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).

The vote to expel Sirleaf and three others is rooted in several violations of the party’s constitution and other acts inimical to the existence and reputation of the party, a statement issued Sunday in Monrovia after UP’s National Executive Committee reached the decision said. According to the Associated Press, President Sirleaf has rejected her expulsion from the governing party as illegal, saying she will appeal the decision. She has denied accusations she supported the President-elect, Senator George Weah during the presidential elections, in which her Vice President, Joseph Boakai of 12 years lost.

The People will be the Judge –Boakai, Source: New DEMOCRAT

Vice President Joseph Boakai has told members of the Senate that Liberians would be the ultimate judges of the outgoing government’s stewardship. Vice President Boakai who was also President of the Senate made the statement Monday at the Capitol Building at the opening ceremony of the 54th Legislature. “Our people will be the ultimate judge of our stewardship, but where we faltered, we humbly plead for understanding. Where we were taken to have done wrong we stand penitent and plead for reconciliation,” Boakai said.

Gender Minister Cassell Surrenders in Debt Case, Source: New DEMOCRAT

Gender Minister Julia Duncan Cassell has surrendered to the Commercial Court at the Temple of Justice a week after she was ordered arrested for been indebted to a private company – Smart Tech, Incorporated in more than USD100,000. On Tuesday, Minister Cassell and the Gender Ministry’s lawyer held discussions with Judge Eva Mappy Morgan but details of the intense meeting were not revealed to the press but it is believed that their visit was in connection to the arrest order and her Ministry’s obligation to paying the money owed the tech company.

Cracking Down On Narcotic Drugs Trade In Liberia -LDEA arrests two Nigerians in USD61,000 Cocaine scam, Sources: Daily OBSERVER and News Public Trust

A Nigerian national, Friday Samuel Mbah has been arrested at the Roberts International Airport in Margibi County by agents of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) for allegedly smuggling over half kilos of raw cocaine into the country. Mbah, currently being prepared for court prosecution swallowed the 23 tubes of raw cocaine valued over USD 61,100. LDEA Director-General, Anthony Souh said the suspect flew from Malawi on Kenya Airways with the harmful substance in his stomach.  Mr. Souh said Mbah attempt to evade security arrest didn’t materialize because the LDEA was acting on a tipoff from its international partners. Meanwhile, another Nigerian, Joseph Yeaboah alias Solomon has been arrested in connection with the 23 tubes of raw cocaine. He was named by Mbah as his partner in Liberia. Read more