‘President Weah is innocent of Bribery’-Ex-NHA boss says

The former head of the National Housing Authority(NHA) Duannah Siryon denied taking a bribe of US$80,000 from Emmanuel Tapsoba, the coordinator of Burkina Fasso – based company GELPAZ-IMMO  to be given to president George Weah in connection to the construction of  several thousands of housing units in Liberia.Siryon and others are facing charges of alleged economic sabotage, theft of property, bribery, misapplication of entrusted property and criminal conspiracy. They have denied the charges.  GELPAZ-IMMO is a company  from Burkina Faso, West Africa that expressed interest in constructing thousands of housing units in Liberia.

He  along with  co-defendants Tugbeh C. Tugbeh, NHA Deputy Director for Administration and Isaac Roberts,  Deputy Director for Technical Services  are in the legal  trial.

But ex-director Mr. Siryon, the third defense witness at Criminal Court “C” in Monrovia was in triggered by questions from  Cllr. Jerry D.K. Garwolor during cross examination with the prosecution Tuesday, 29 October.

Ahead of Mr. Siryon’s testimony, prosecution’s first witness Mr. Rafael Wilson alleged that NHA boos allegedly acknowledged to be recorded while receiving money from one Augustine Weah.

“In one of the offices of the National Housing Authority, you could also hear in the audio, the defendants discussing the unfair distribution of the USD$80,000 which Siryon received .,” witness Wilson alleged.

Former NHA boss said that president Weah  was completely innocent. TNR

Alphonso Toweh

Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets  including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and  did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters 
 He holds first  MA with honors in International  Relations and a  candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict  Resolution from the University of Liberia.