MONROVIA – Former President of the Press Union of Liberia, Charles B. Coffey Jr., has called on Liberians, including political institutions and actors expressing divergent views on the Government’s fight against harmful drugs and the prosecution of alleged drug traffickers to remain peaceful, patriotic and respectful of the rule of law.
By Augustus D.R [email protected]
Coffey said the ongoing national campaign against harmful drugs is a matter of serious national concern that requires collective responsibility, unity and support for lawful institutions rather than political confrontation, public pressure or prejudgment of cases before the courts.
He urged all parties with differing opinions on drug-related prosecutions to allow the courts and other competent institutions of the justice system to perform their constitutional responsibilities without interference.
“We must allow the rule of law to prevail. Allegations of criminal conduct must be determined through due process, and no individual should be convicted in the court of public opinion before the competent court has spoken,” Coffey emphasized.
The former media leader, who is currently studying law at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia, expressed optimism that justice will ultimately be served through the established legal process.
He described Liberia’s judicial system as an important pillar of the Republic and expressed confidence in the ability of the courts to administer justice impartially and independently.
According to Coffey, Liberia’s constitutional and judicial framework places a compelling responsibility on judges, lawyers and other legal practitioners to uphold the principles of fairness, impartiality, professional integrity and ethical conduct in the administration of justice.
He stressed that the 1986 Constitution of Liberia provides fundamental safeguards for due process and the protection of individual rights, making it imperative for legal practitioners and judicial actors to conduct themselves in accordance with constitutional principles and established ethical standards.
Coffey further cautioned against attempts by political actors, commentators or other influential individuals to undermine public confidence in the judiciary through inflammatory statements or premature conclusions concerning matters pending before the courts.
He stated that disagreements over government policy or criminal prosecutions are legitimate in a democratic society, but such disagreements must be expressed peacefully and within the bounds of law.
“Patriotism does not mean that we must all hold the same opinion. It means that, even when we disagree, we must protect the peace, respect our institutions and allow the law to take its course,” he pointed out.
He, therefore, encouraged Liberians to support legitimate efforts by the Government and security institutions to combat the harmful drugs crisis while simultaneously respecting the constitutional rights of persons accused of drug-related offenses.
Coffey maintained that the fight against harmful drugs should not become a source of political division, but rather a national cause requiring cooperation among the Government, political institutions, civil society, the media, religious leaders, traditional authorities and ordinary citizens.
He concluded by urging all Liberians to remain calm and allow the courts to independently determine the facts and law in cases before them, stressing that justice is best served when the rule of law, rather than public pressure, determines the outcome of criminal proceedings.
Support Independent Journalism
Your support helps FrontPage Africa continue delivering independent, credible, and impactful journalism. Every contribution strengthens our ability to investigate, inform, and hold power accountable while keeping quality journalism accessible to our readers.
Support our journalism or subscribe to receive the latest FrontPage Africa stories and updates.
