MONROVIA – The Liberian justice system has faced significant criticism for its inefficiencies and shortcomings, prompting concerns among the public. These concerns were further heightened in recent weeks following the acquittal of defendants in the high-profile US$100 million cocaine case.
By Lennart Dodoo, [email protected]
Amidst the discussions surrounding the drug trial, the Liberia National Police made a move by arresting and detaining former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott and three members of her family in connection with the alleged murder of Charloe Musu, her niece who resided with her. The individuals charged alongside Cllr. Scott are Rebecca Youdeh Wisner, Gertrude Newton, and Alice Johnson.
Since the incident occurred on February 22 this year, the police have been conducting an investigation, initially holding Cllr. Scott and the others as persons of interest. Last Wednesday, they officially designated them as suspects in the case.
Initially, Cllr. Scott reported the incident as an armed robbery attack on her home, resulting in the stabbing death of her niece.
However, last week, police investigators revealed that Cllr. Scott’s account of an armed robbery was false. In an arrest warrant issued against her, the police stated, “On the 22nd of February, 2023, the Defendants colluded, connived, and conspired to stab victim Charloe Musu multiple times, resulting in her untimely death, using a sharp instrument believed to be a knife. Furthermore, the Defendants falsely reported to the police that an unknown man intruded into their house and caused the death of the deceased by stabbing her.”
Madam Scott was subsequently denied bail by the Monrovia City Court, citing its lack of jurisdiction over murder cases. As a result, she and her co-defendants were remanded to the Monrovia Central Prison.
The decision has garnered attention, including a tweet from former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who expressed her disappointment, stating, “It was a sad day as the Liberian justice system reverted to the bad ways of the past, which I have personally experienced.”
Renowned Human Rights lawyer and now politician, Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe, believes that the government is politicizing the case.
Cllr. Gongloe criticized the prolonged investigation, suggesting that the government lacked a solid case. He argued that the proceedings appeared to be a targeted persecution of the Musu family, who are grieving the loss of their daughter.
Cllr. Gongloe stated, “The whole thing looks political; I’ve never seen a case in any country where a death occurred, an autopsy was conducted, and the body was not delivered to the family. It takes an unusually long time to bring charges. Everything seems political, and I can confidently say, as a lawyer, that using a dead body as evidence in court is unprecedented. Autopsy reports, not the physical body, are typically used as evidence. What kind of wickedness is this?”
The National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL), speaking for the first time since the investigation began, urged the public to refrain from politicizing the matter and allow the judiciary to carry out its work.
The Council emphasized that the ultimate goal, both for Liberians and the international community, is to ensure fair justice is served, regardless of who may be held responsible. It also called on the Liberian government to hire independent prosecutors to handle the case, in order to guarantee the credibility of the legal process.
The NCSCL’s statement read, “Considering our recent experiences, the Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL) urges the Government of Liberia to engage independent prosecutors to handle the unfortunate death of Charlotte Musu at the residence of former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott in Brewerville. While we appreciate the services provided by state lawyers, we believe they require professional assistance to handle cases of this magnitude.”
“For too long, we have witnessed cases of similar importance treated with apathy by the government, undermining the pursuit of justice. We call on the Government of Liberia to demonstrate its commitment to upholding the rule of law and to ensure a transparent and fair conclusion to this matter, regardless of the individuals involved. This is not the time for business as usual. Just a few days before charges were filed against Cllr. Scott and others, the government lost a landmark case involving the importation of US$100 million worth of drugs. This case has caused widespread concern, both domestically and internationally. State lawyers were criticized for the unfavorable outcome, despite the abundance of evidence.”
To enhance the credibility of the legal process, the NCSCL appealed to the United States Government, the European Union, and ECOWAS to take a keen interest in the matter. Their involvement would ensure that the true perpetrators face the full weight of the law.
“The loss of a life should demand the attention of all, and a free, fair, and transparent adjudication of this matter is crucial for a vibrant rule of law and judicial system in Liberia. We demand impartial justice without any manipulation. When justice is dispensed fairly and promptly, we can have confidence that justice truly prevails for all, and not just as a mere motto hanging on the walls of the Temple of Justice,” the Council stated.
The Council further emphasized the importance of all justice dispensers maintaining professionalism during the administration of justice, as it plays a pivotal role in maintaining peace and security now and in the future.