MONROVIA, LIBERIA-Criminal Court ‘C’ has slapped two former officials of the Liberia Institute for Statistic and Geo-Information Service with five years’ imprisonment each at the Monrovia Central Prison.

They are defendants Dominic Paye, former LISGIS Controller, and Lawrence George, former LISGIS Deputy Director.

According to our Judicial Reporter, they were found guilty by the trial jurors before Judge Ousman Feika reaffirmed the verdict on Monday.

They were indicted for stealing over 900 thousand United States Dollars while serving in their respective roles in the last administration.

Judge Ousman Feika’s final judgement also mandated the defendants to restitute the full amount of 97 thousand United States Dollars.

But, defense lawyers took an exception to the ruling and announced an appeal to the Supreme Court during its March Term, consistent with the law.

Defense lawyers’ action now places a stay on Judge Feika’s decision.

Our Judicial Reporter says Judge Feika had earlier denied a motion for a new trial as requested by defense lawyers in keeping with the law.

Their charges ranged from economic sabotage, misuse of public money, theft of property, misappropriation, and conspiracy.