The Ministry of Information has strongly debunked a story   contained in the Tuesday’s edition of the In Profile Daily charging members of  Liberia’s  First Family of begging President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf not to prosecute suspended Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA) Ms Matilda W. Parker.

 President Sirleaf recently suspended Ms Parker and members of the Board of Directors of the National Port Authority over alleged financial impropriety at the entity.  


According to the paper, Mr. T. Nelson Williams who was recently relieved of his post as Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company, or (L.P.R.C.) by the President, was also seen at the President’s residence lobbying for another job.


But Deputy Information Minister Isaac Jackson has described the media reports as mere gossip lacking any evidence.  Debunking the media reports during the Ministry of Information press briefing in Monrovia today, he challenged the paper to show photographic evidence of any member(s) of the First Family begging the President for mercy on behalf of Ms Parker.


The Deputy Information boss said the story carried by the local daily was guided by total disrespect for the ethics of professional journalism. He added that journalists and media institutions in the country should be mindful  to observe the norms of professional journalism, and avoid publishing or broadcasting stories based on mere street corner gossips.


Minister Jackson maintained that the government is committed to the fight against corruption and would not leave any stone unturned.


Meanwhile, Minister Jackson told newsmen that the government through the Grand Jury of Montserrado County has unsealed indictment against four Lebanese nationals and a Liberian man accused of engaging in human trafficking.


But he said only one of the men is in custody while the rest are on the run. However, he said plain cloth security agents are in pursuit of the men and warned the public not to shield any of the accused men, instead give out information  to assist  the government in  apprehending the men.


The government of Liberia recently   dispatched a high powered delegation to Lebanon to rescue and bring back to the country some Liberian women who were allegedly forced into prostitution and faced with other inhumane treatments by their traffickers.


The government says it has identified four Lebanese and a Liberian allegedly being behind the act.