NPA Smiles

–As It Wins US$7 Million Case

The Supreme Court of Liberia has ruled in favor of the National Port Authority bringing a smile in a case involving a group under the banner “the Executive and Work Committee of the Consolidated Leave Employees and Beneficiaries of the ALICO pension fund” vs. the National Port Authority (NPA).

An opinion dated 4th July, 2018 under the signatures of the full bench of the Supreme Court of Liberia cites the lack of legal and factual merits in the case; adding that the informants suffered waiver and laches by waiting for fourteen years before attending to their alleged grievance rather than pursuing same when the Supreme Court handed down its opinion and judgment as prescribed by law in such case.

According to a release, the thesis of the July 4th opinion in favor of the National Port Authority (NPA) follows arguments and contentions advanced by the parties in the High Court’s Chambers during the March term of court.

The informants had prayed the Supreme Court to set aside the 1998 opinion handed down by the Gloria Musu Scott full bench which discharged the NPA from all liabilities of the ALICO funds.

The bill of information now dismissed by the full bench of the Supreme Court, was filed by and through Counselors Theophilus C. Gould and Freddie R. Taylor Jr., of Kemp and Associates legal consultancy claiming seven million United States Dollars.

But the National Port Authority In –House Counsel Dexter Tiah Sr., argued that the Informants should have filed for re-argument within three days after the opinion of the Gloria   Musu Scott bench of 1998 which is by law.

The Respondent prayed the court to have the bill of information dismissed, arguing further that the bill of information was untimely and without legal or factual merits.

The Clerk of Court has therefore been ordered by the full bench to have the case stricken from the docket – stating that the costs have been adjusted against the informants

Meanwhile, a release from the National Port Authority quotes acting Managing Director Celia Cuffy –Brown as describing the Supreme Court’s judgment as a landmark legal victory for the Weah’s led government and a milestone accomplishment for the NPA.