A Defense of Counselor Mohamedu F. Jones, a Man of Integrity and High Ethical Standards

A Defense of Counselor Mohamedu F. Jones, a Man of Integrity and High Ethical Standards.

By Rufus S. Berry II

Counselor Mohamedu F. Jones is a man of great integrity and high ethical standards. I have known him almost 35 years and I have the highest esteem for him. He has always, and will continue to be a man of principle and trustworthiness. Counselor Jones and I talked when these allegations were first published, and he was very disturbed by FrontPageAfrica's allegations of widespread corruption within President Johnson-Sirleaf's government. We even discussed the need for the establishment of an independent entity to examine the allegations. Counselor Jones wants to see justice and an immediate end to all corruption within the Liberian government. He is a staunch believer in the rule of law, and believes that the law must be applied without fear or favor.

In a letter from Rodney Sieh, A Letter from the Editor: FPA to Dunn Commission – No More Cooperation!!! It was stated that Counselor Jones had offered legal aid to the Liberian International Shipping Registry (LISCR), managed by Mr. Yoram Cohen. Let me state the fact that Counselor Jones has NEVER offered any legal aid to the Liberian International Shipping Registry (LISCR), managed by Mr. Yoram Cohen. Counselor Jones, a Harvard trained lawyer, began to offer legal services online starting in 1998 to legitimate entities in the international community that wanted to register a ship under the Liberian flag or incorporate a Liberian offshore corporation or handle other matters of Liberian law. When Counselor Jones began offering his legal services, the Liberian International Shipping Registry (LISCR), managed by Mr. Yoram Cohen was no where in sight. The International Trust Company (ITC) was running the Liberian shipping registry. However, Counselor Jones did not provide legal advice or services to ITC, or to LISCR, but rather, has represented clients that need to deal with them as the sole Liberian offshore corporate and maritime registrar.

Counselor Jones’ service statement on his website, for services relating to the registration of Liberian off shore corporations does not translate into him working for Mr. Yoram Cohen. As I stated earlier, he has never worked or offered any legal advice to Liberian International Shipping Registry (LISCR), managed by Mr. Yoram Cohen. By clicking on this website http://www.liberianlegal.com/clients.HTM you can see some of Counselor Jones clients from over the years.

Mr. Sieh also states that Counselor Jones serve as a “legal aide” to President Johnson Sirleaf without providing any evidence. Such a statement, which he offers as support to raise questions about the integrity of Mr. Jones, must be supported by evidence to have validity.

Counselor Jones puts Mama Liberia first. He is not someone that will compromise his integrity and participate in underhanded dealings. He would not violate the law by secretly recording conversations. It is precisely because of his character that Counselor Jones was asked by Dr. Dunn to serve as one of his legal advisers. Counselor Jones agreed because he wanted to use his legal expertise to investigate FrontPageAfrica's allegations of mass corruption involving senior Liberian government officials. Counselor Jones supports exposing corruption within the government, bringing the perpetrators to justice, and stamping out corruption for good. Counselor Jones' involvement in the Dunn commission poses no conflict of interest, but is in the interest of Liberia.

Interestingly enough, Rodney Sieh's has a great deal in common with Counselor Jones. Rodney Sieh chooses to put Mama Liberia first. He chose to maintain his integrity rather than be bought by a corrupt few to betray his people, and thousand of daily readers of FrontPageAfrica. Mr. Sieh’s love for Liberia is great. He is the “Albert Porte” of my generation. He could have pocketed thousand of dollars to suppress the story of massive corruption within President Johnson-Sirleaf's administration, but he choose to run the story.

Rodney Sieh has my support when he says, “The buck has to stop here and must begin with the administration opening the doors to all who want to import rice, cement and other commodities without the usual red tape - including bribery, who-knows-who and corruption that goes on in the dark. The buck must stop with officials - elected or appointed working in the interest of the people and not their own. The buck must stop with ministers and government officials not seeking a payout from investors hoping to improve the lives of the people of Liberia. That buck must stop with Liberia's "Cold Water" lawmakers in both the upper and lower Houses who have failed the people who got them there, and have become the "laughing stock" in the eyes of many Liberians.” Counselor Jones similarly understands that Liberia’s growth and development is harmed by corrupt practices.

Both Counselor Jones and Mr. Sieh are longtime trusted friends of mine. Both men have the same goals for Liberia: to see her strong and corruption-free. Liberia needs both men, and both men need to work together, to help our country eradicate corruption.


About the Author:

Rufus S. Berry II, (former President of the Liberian Community Association of Northern California - LCANC) a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area (Northern California), and the author of many articles including: “Madam President your People are Angry: Corruption in your administration must end., “Liberia’s National Security Alert: President Johnson-Sirleaf’s Government Needs Discipline to Stay the Course, and “Ban Smoking in Public Venues Now”””.

He can be reached at: rufus_berry@yahoo.com or (510) 393-1825