The letter questions whether Counselor Kruah’s affiliations with fraternal organizations or his current government position may have influenced the lack of enforcement by the court.
Paynesville City – The Mano River Agricultural Rehabilitation & Development Corporation (MARDCO) has issued a second plea to President Joseph Boakai urging his intervention in a longstanding legal dispute involving Counselor Cooper W. Kruah, Liberia’s Minister of Labor.
By Jaheim Tumu, [email protected]
In a letter dated January 8, 2024, prior to President Boakai’s inauguration, MARDCO detailed allegations against Counselor Kruah, accusing him of actions that have severely impacted their operations in both Liberia and Sierra Leone. The entity claims Counselor Kruah withheld funds amounting to $58,814.08, resulting from the sale of 13 metric tons of rubber.
The dispute has not only crippled MARDCO’s financial standing but has also left the organization vulnerable to potential legal action at the ECOWAS Court by Paramount Chiefs from Sierra Leone, who allege that MARDCO failed to pay rubber tappers employed within their chiefdoms.
Unresolved Supreme Court Ruling
MARDCO argues that despite a guilty verdict rendered by the Grievance and Ethics Committee against Counselor Kruah, the Supreme Court of Liberia has failed to enforce the ruling for over nine years. This delay, the letter states, has caused irreparable damage to the organization, effectively paralyzing its operations since 2012.
The letter questions whether Counselor Kruah’s affiliations with fraternal organizations or his current government position may have influenced the lack of enforcement by the court.
A Call for Presidential Intervention
As Minister of Labor and a prominent member of the government, Counselor Kruah is described in the letter as President Boakai’s “able lieutenant.” MARDCO is appealing to the President to leverage his administrative authority to ensure the entity receives the funds it claims it is owed.
“We wish to reecho our cry to you to come to our plight,” the letter states, adding that the situation is destroying the very fabric of their lives.
MARDCO emphasized that they have nowhere else to turn but to the President, whom they view as the father of the nation. They also attached copies of their previous letter to the President and the guilty verdict from the Grievance and Ethics Committee to support their case.
A Decade of Struggles
The case, which dates back to 2012, underscores the challenges faced by businesses in Liberia seeking judicial redress for grievances. MARDCO’s latest appeal highlights the devastating consequences of delayed justice, including the loss of financial stability and the trust of local stakeholders in Sierra Leone.
MARDCO has expressed hope that President Boakai’s intervention will lead to a resolution, restoring their operations and credibility in the Mano River region.
The President’s Office is yet to respond to MARDCO’s latest plea.
