MONROVIA – The National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL) has issued a statement calling on the Government of Liberia (GoL) to employ independent prosecutors to handle the investigation into the tragic death of Charlotte Musu. Musu was killed in a violent incident at the residence of former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott in Brewerville on February 23, 2023. The public was informed that unknown individuals had attacked the home of the former Chief Justice and Senator of Maryland County, resulting in Musu’s untimely demise. The Liberia National Police promptly initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this brutal incident.
Following the completion of the police investigation, Cllr. Musu Scott, along with other family members, including Rebecca Youdeh Wisner, Gertrude Newton, and Alice Johnson, was charged with murder, conspiracy, and making false statements to law enforcement officers. The accused individuals were initially detained but were subsequently released by the Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of Justice after their lawyers filed a Writ of Habeas Corpus. However, they were subsequently returned to the Monrovia Central Prison a day later in response to a challenge presented by state lawyers.
In their statement, the NCSCL, which serves as the umbrella organization for all civil society groups in Liberia and represents the impartial voice of society, emphasized that the engagement of independent prosecutors would enhance the credibility of the legal process concerning the unfortunate death of Charlotte Musu.
“Cognizant of recent developments, the National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL) calls upon the Government of Liberia to enlist the services of independent prosecutors to handle the investigation into the tragic death of Charlotte Musu at the residence of former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott in Brewerville. While we acknowledge the efforts of state lawyers in our country, we believe they require professional support to address cases of this magnitude,” the statement asserted.
“For far too long, we have witnessed cases of similar significance being treated with indifference and lack of commitment by the Government, which undermines the pursuit of justice. We urge the Government of Liberia to demonstrate its seriousness in upholding the rule of law and present a globally recognized image of our commitment. We demand a fair resolution to this matter, where justice is served irrespective of the individuals involved. This is not a time for business as usual. Mere days prior to the charges brought against Cllr. Scott and others, the Government suffered a major setback in a significant drug importation case, valued at US$100 million. The state lawyers were criticized for the unfavorable outcome despite the abundance of evidence.”
In an effort to instill further confidence in the legal process, the NCSCL appealed to the United States Government through its embassy in Monrovia, as well as the European Union and ECOWAS, to take a vested interest in this matter and ensure that the true perpetrators face the full weight of the law.
“The loss of a life demands the serious attention of all, and a transparent and fair adjudication of this matter is crucial for a robust rule of law and judicial system in Liberia. We demand impartial justice without any manipulation. When justice is dispensed fairly and expeditiously, we can be assured that it truly applies to all and is not just an empty slogan adorning the walls of the Temple of Justice,” the Council expressed.
The NCSCL also cautioned all those involved to refrain from politicizing the case and urged the public to follow the legal process.
The Council firmly warned against any attempts to politicize the matter, as the ultimate aspiration of all Liberians and the international community is to achieve fair justice, regardless of who may be held responsible.
“The National Civil Society Council of Liberia strongly advises all individuals and entities, including the media, to exercise caution in these legal proceedings and avoid politicizing the matter. The collective goal of all Liberians and the international community is to ensure that fair justice is served, irrespective of the identities of those found culpable,” the statement concluded.