President George Weah of Liberia has pardoned ex-Defence Minister Brownie Samukai, who was sentenced for corruption by the Supreme Court.
He was never imprisoned, and the pardon implies he may be able to resume his position as a senator while working to repay the country.
While he was Minister under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Samukai and two others who worked under her were found guilty of corruption including failing to account for more than $1 million withdrawn routinely from soldiers’ salaries for savings.
Throughout his trial, he claimed that the money was spent on other official matters on the former president’s directives.
A Senior official at Weah’s office told newsmen at a press conference that the Liberian Government will pay Samukai the money he owed the former troops, before proceeding to repay the country.
In 2020, Samukai was elected senator representing Lofa County in the far north, although he never took office.
He was ordered to remain in jail until he paid back the money, according to the court.