Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org
Monrovia – A tense standoff meeting between lawyers representing Dominic Bropleh and the Executive Director of the National AIDS Commission could be one of the reasons he was pushed to the edge to attempt suicide, multiple sources have told journalRAGE.
A month ago, Dominic Bropleh accused FHI360 of outing his HIV status when it published flyers depicting him as living with HIV, going against his wishes.
According to sources, Bropleh and his legal team met with the NAC’s Executive Director, Solomon Hinneh, on Wednesday, June 14 at the Commission’s office.
“From the way Solo acted during the meeting, if I were in that young man’s shoes, myself would have thought about suicide.” said the source. “I thought the AIDS Commission would be at least on the side of Bropleh or neutral but it looks like they have already taken sides.”
It is not clear what prompted the intervention of NAC, but sources say the meeting reportedly came at the behest of the Commission who, according to multiple sources, informed the legal team of Dominic Bropleh that they had taken over the matter from FHI360 at its request.
FHI360, when contacted, could not confirm or deny.
“What I can tell you is that we have finished our review of our safeguarding procedures and protocols. We have shared the findings with the National AIDS Commission. They can answer any questions,” an FHI360 spokesperson told journalRAGE. “FHI 360’s work in Liberia is under the auspices of the National AIDS Commission. We encourage you to reach out to them for any additional information.”
The chairperson of the National AIDS Commission, Theodosia Kolee, did not reply to journalRAGE’s email for comment when contacted.
However, according to highly placed sources at NAC and FHI360-Liberia, the former had tried to initially meet with Dominic in the absence of his lawyer, but the 32-year-old reportedly rejected the idea on grounds that he has legal representation and would only speak with the AIDS Commission when advised or instructed by his lawyer.
And, according to sources at NAC and FHI60, the initial attempt reportedly had the tacit backing of the global health organization Liberia team.
“He was at a workshop and we went there to meet with him, but he told us they should contact his lawyer,” according to a source with NAC.
Sources say there had been a series of meetings between FHI360’s lawyers and Dominic’s legal team but it had been mysteriously called off and turned over to the National AIDS Commission.
FHI360 is represented by Heritage Partner & Associates, while Dominic Bropleh is represented by Global Law Partners & Associates Inc. Neither could be reached for comment.
Sources privy to the meeting at NAC’s office on Wednesday, June 14 said the Executive Director of the National AIDS Commission, Solomon Hinneh, adopted a hostile posture. According to sources, Hinneh’s posturing nearly led to a walkoff from Dominic’s legal team.
Sources furthered that it took Bropleh’s legal team an hour and more to have the NAC Executive Director informed that the issue is between a private institution operating under the laws of Liberia.
“Hinneh said the issue is with the government. Bropleh’s lawyer fired back that the issue is with FHI360, and not the government. And, FHI360 is only helping the government through USAID which is giving them the funding to help the government’s AIDS intervention.
“Hinneh said FHI had done no wrong and [Dominic] signed the consent form and he saw the message. But somebody—I think the guy works with NAC—-said it can’t be because he attended the unveiling of the flyers and the workshop and he did not recall seeing Dominic there. Dominic’s lawyers said if FHI did no wrong, why did the National Aids Commission request the meeting. They were about to go, but the NAC backed down and pleaded.”
Said the source: “Honestly, I am really surprised by the NAC in this entire situation. I mean for God in heaven’s sake, they should be in the interest of Dominic but they were there talking about FHI working for the government, etc.
According to sources, Bropleh’s legal team presented to the NAC a litany of requests that it thinks would best suit him as he has been perennially scarred by the actions of the global health organization.
Said the source: “Honestly, I am really surprised by the NAC in this entire situation. I mean for God in heaven sake, they should be in the interest of Dominic but they were there talking about FHI working for the government etc.
Sources have informed journalRAGE the parties are scheduled to meet this week.
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