TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia – Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie’s recent ruling to grant a subpoena for Monrovia City Mayor Jefferson Tamba Koijee and Varlee Telleh, a senior member of the Monrovia City Police, has triggered a storm of mixed reactions within the public domain.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh – [email protected]
Last week, defense counsel representing Justice Gloria Musu Scott and her family requested the subpoena for Mayor Koijee to appear in court, accompanied by Telleh, to provide telephone records used between February 21, 2023, and February 25, 2023. This request is related to the tragic murder of Charloe Musu, who was fatally stabbed multiple times at her mother’s residence on February 22, 2023.
Following the incident, Cllr. Jerome Verdier, former Chairman of the erstwhile Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), accused Telleh of committing the murder at Cllr. Scott’s residence in Virginia, a Monrovia suburb. Both Koijee and Telleh vehemently denied these allegations, challenging Verdier to produce evidence to support his claims. They also cooperated with the Liberia National Police (LNP) during their questioning.
The subsequent LNP statement exonerated Koijee and Telleh, citing a lack of evidence linking them to the crime. The police confirmation clearance issued on June 26, 2023, outlined the investigative process and the absence of any substantial evidence against the accused individuals.
Excerpt of the police confirmation clearance issued on June 26, 2023: “Mayor Jefferson Tamba Koijee and Mr. Varlee Telleh who were accused by Cllr. Jerome J. Verdier. Sr. are hereby exonerated and/or discharged from further questioning due to lack of evidence to link them to the commission of the crime (murder). In view of the aforementioned, and by directive of the Inspector General of Police, Hon. Patrick T. Sudue, we herewith issue Monrovia City Mayor, HON, JEFFERSON TAMBA KOLJEE this POLICE CONFIRMATION CLEARANCE for lack of evidence, Criminal Culpability in connection to the gruesome murder of Charloe Musu: and for reference purpose.”
The statement, signed by Prince B. Mulbah, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Crime Services, Intelligence and Interpol Affairs of the LNP outlined that on the 1st of March 2023, the investigative team met with Mayor Jefferson Koijee and Mr. Varlee Telleh relating to the accusation made against them by Cllr. Verdier. In separate interviews, the police said the pair denied any involvement in the incident that occurred at former Justice Scott’s residence and described Cllr. Verdier’s accusation is baseless, fake and lacks any iota of truth.
The investigative team also said on March 2, 2023 at 1820hrs, it spoke with Cllr. Verdier through Deputy Inspector General Mulbah requesting him (Cllr. Verdier) to assist the investigation with whatsoever facts or evidence he may have that could have been of evidential importance to the investigation – in support of his allegations made when he appeared on Spoon Network where he linked Mayor Koijee and Mr. Telleh to the death of Charloe Musu. The LNP said during the telephone interview, Verdier emphatically said that he has no evidence or any facts, whatsoever documentary or otherwise; rather, he was only giving the LNP a lead that any investigator can use to solve a case.
The police noted that they reached out to him again on March 7. 2023 – this time via email and WhatsApp; requesting him to provide evidence to substantiate his allegations against Mayor Koijee and Mr. Telleh. “Again, he responded through WhatsApp, but failed to provide evidence as requested of him,” the police said.
It further said that call-log analysis showed that there was no communication between Mayor Koijee and Telleh prior to, during, and after the incident at Cllr. Gloria Musu-Scott’s house as it was widely insinuated by Verdier; accusing Telleh of criminally conspiring to carry out said act at the former Chief Justice’s house.
The statement further: “The investigation, having thoroughly reviewed the case background narratives, crime scene visitations, neighborhood canvassing, follow-up police actions, review of statements obtained from persons of interest and witnesses, interviews und investigation conducted, case analysis and findings, it has been verified, certified and established that there was no intruder, no armed robber, nor assailant into the home of Cllr. Gloria Musu-Scott on the night of the incident, same being February 22, 2023 at 2200hrs.”
Despite this clearance, the court’s decision to subpoena Koijee and Telleh has stirred debate, with some questioning the rationale behind compelling their appearance given the absence of evidence provided by Verdier.
Uriah Davis, a student of Criminal Justice, criticized the decision, stating, “The decision to subpoena Mayor Koijee and Varlee Telleh is a naked act of witch hunt. This sets a dangerous precedent where accusations without evidence lead to prosecution.”
Others echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for evidence before compelling individuals to appear in court. “The police investigation was clear. Instead of subpoenaing Mayor Koijee and Telleh, the defense should ask Cllr. Verdier to provide evidence. Demanding a subpoena without proof seems unjust,” remarked one observer.
Meanwhile, others are calling on Major Koijee and Telleh to have nothing to fear if they are innocent.
While it is true that the burden of proof lies with the accuser, in this case Cllr. Verdier and the defense, Mayor Koijee and Mr. Telleh, should appear before the court to prove their innocence. There is nothing to fear once you are innocent,” said Amie Davis, a resident of Virginia.
While Mayor Koijee and Telleh are expected to appear in court today, the controversy revolves around the perceived lack of evidence and the implications of compelling individuals to appear in court based solely on unverified accusations.