Liberia: Supreme Court Rejects Bomi Citizens’ Writ of Prohibition on Western Cluster Operation

Monrovia – The Supreme Court of Liberia has reaffirmed the dismissal of a complaint for a Writ of ptrohibition filed by citizens of Bomi County against the government’s Memorandum of Understanding authorizing Western Cluster to commence mining on Bomi Hills, Bea mountain, and the Mano River Mines in western Liberia.

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By Victoria G Wesseh, Contributing Writer

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The high court’s decision was reaffirmed on Monday, February 20, by justice in chambers, Yamie Quiqui Gbeisaye. 

Justice Gbeisaye ruled that the petitioners for a Writ of Prohibition raised mixed issues of laws and facts that can be handled by the lower court and not the Supreme Court.

A copy of Justice Gbeisaye’s decision for the Bomi Citizens under the name, “Operation Save Bomi Inc,” by and through its authorized officers, Mr. Clifton B. Hilton, Sando D. Johnson, Eugene Fahgone, Stanley B. Tolbert and the Klay Development Association Inc, by and through its authorized officers, Messrs. Isaac B. S. Brown, Sando Moore, Varney Gbessay, Rev. Moore S. Kpan.( petitioners) Versus  The Government of Liberia through the Ministries of Justice, Public Works, Mines and Energy and the National Investment Commission (NIC) (Ist respondents) and Western Cluster Liberia, Ltd and Elenito Inc (2nd respondents).

Justice Gbeisaye in his decision that was communicated through  Cllr. Sam Manulu, the clerk of the Supreme Court, said, “By directive of His  Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeisaye, Associate Justice presiding in Chamber, you are hereby informed that the justice has  declined to issue the Writ prayed for by the petitioners, as the issue raised in the petition are mixed issues of laws and facts that can be handled by the lower court, which has the authority to take evidence and pass on the validity or legality of the memorandum of understanding between the Government of Liberia and the Western Cluster.”