London – Less than 48 hours after venting his frustrations against the Supreme Court of the Republic of Liberia in the case involving his tenure saga with the government of Liberia, Mr. Isaac Jackson, Liberia’s Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has parted ways with his lawyer, Cllr. Arthur Johnson.
Cllr. Johnson, officially notified Attorney Jackson the he was withdrawing his legal representation in the IMO rep’s Petition for the Writ of Prohibition which has been argued before the high court pending ruling by the Court.
In a communication notifying Attorney Jackson of his withdrawal, Cllr. Johnson said, his withdrawal from the case stems from the Attorney Jackson’s utterances in the media. “The fact of your media appearances both in electronic and print preempting and predicting the ruling of the Supreme Court and at the same time calling the High Court Chief Justice, Francis Korkpor and Supreme Court into public ridicule. As you are aware of this publication made by you in the Front Page Newspaper , Vol. 13, NO.071, Monday, April 22, 2019 with the story “Liberia IMO REP Vents Anger at Supreme Court Chief Justice Francis Korkpor ‘MY BLOOD WILL BE ON HIS HANDS’ “, it undermines the integrity and dignity of the Highest Court and places it into disrepute.”
“Let me assure you that I fully appreciate your courage, but at this time, the pain imposed on me and my kids under years old is intolerable! And as a pro-democracy advocate, I am allergic to any form of injustice. Hence, I believe that the essence of democracy is to allow suffering to speak. I refuse to suffer in silence, and as such, I am casket-ready to defend my rights in the public domain. My training is to speak out against wrong in society.”Attorney Isaac Jackson, Liberia’s Embattled Representatives at the International Maritime Organization(IMO)
Cllr. Johnson said as a lawyer before the High Court, he could not continue to represent a client whose actions disrespect the court. “It will show an appearance that I am in support of your action against the Supreme Court Chief Justice. Moreover, you were advised to stay away from the press during our last conversations. Doing this threatens my career as a lawyer because I am not a Politician but rather a lawyer. As a Counselor -At-Law and member of the Honorable Supreme Court of Liberia, I am prohibited from supporting any act that undermines the dignity, credibility, and integrity of the Honorable Supreme Court of Liberia, and that is to say all Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia. In view of the above, please accept this withdrawal without any prejudice but for ethical reasons as contained in the Code of Moral and Ethical Conduct of Lawyers.”
In response, Attorney Jackson expressed sadness over his lawyer’s withdrawal – from the case challenging his dismissal as Permanent Representative to the IMO. “We both worked together and hoped to have taken the verdict.”
Attorney Jackson thanked Cllr. Johnson for his sacrifices, representing him throughout from Chamber Justice level to the Full Bench of the Honorable Supreme Court.
Said Attorney Jackson: “I can appreciate the extraordinary pressure of the Government since we launched the challenge, and the pressure of the Court since I broke my long silence on Monday, April 22, 2019. Let me assure you that I fully appreciate your courage, but at this time, the pain imposed on me and my kids under years old is intolerable! And as a pro-democracy advocate, I am allergic to any form of injustice. Hence, I believe that the essence of democracy is to allow suffering to speak. I refuse to suffer in silence, and as such, I am casket-ready to defend my rights in the public domain. My training is to speak out against wrong in society.”
Mr. Jackson proclaimed that in a modern democracy, the court is not beyond criticism. “It’s been more than a year since we started the engagement to get the passports for me and my family. I am not prepared anymore to continue to negotiate the abuse of my rights, and those of my family with the government. Unquestionably, with the refusal of the Chief Justice, to take a straight-line against the abuse of my right and the disrespect for the Stay Order of the supreme Court, I am of the strong view that the Chief Justice is presiding over the demise/death of the judicial system of our dear country. Additionally, I remind myself about the circumstances that led to the recent impeachment of Justice Ja’neh.”
Attorney Jackson says he is currently in search of a new lawyer and has accepted Cllr. Johnson’s notice of withdrawal.”
The latest turn in the saga comes as the judiciary branch of government, on Monday termed as unacceptable and unwarranted, the increasing wave of media attacks on the individual persons of the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia as well as Judges of subordinate courts, which if not checked could put the lives and safety of these judicial officials and their family members in great danger.
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