Monrovia – Less than a day after the Liberian National Police declared opposition politician Simeon Freeman as a free man, lawyers representing the politician legal interest have expressed that they welcome the decision by the Government but are at the same time cautioning the current Solicitor General to correct past missteps of the government.
On Tuesday, the Liberian National Police in a statement declared that Freeman, once declared wanted for making utterances which the Police described as having security implications, is no longer wanted for questioning and that he can now go about his normal business.
“Accordingly, we declare that Mr. Simeon Freeman is a free man and he should go about his normal activities without hindrances, and molestation from any quarters. All other security officers are advised that Mr. Freeman is no longer wanted by the Police”, a Police statement indicated.
The LNP indicated that the decision was taken consistent with the policy of reconciliation and national healing and instruction from the Minister of Justice.
The Police furthered: “By the decision of the Government of the Republic of Liberia, consistent with its policy of reconciliation and national healing, the Police have been instructed by the Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice/Attorney General Republic of Liberia, to drop all perceived claims and charges against Mr. Freeman, and declare that Mr. Freeman is no longer wanted for questioning on concerns growing out of his utterances, “that the Government of the Republic of Liberia had a list of politicians to eliminate”.
Reacting to the Police decision, the Liberia Law Society comprising a team of lawyers representing Freeman said they welcome the decision but at the same time calling on the Attorney General to do more in addressing past missteps by the government.
The Llwyers, Attorney Samuel Kofi Woods of the Liberia Law Society and Cllr. Charles Karmoh, in a statement disclosed that they have been in touch with the Government of Liberia on this issue and conveyed the determination of their client to comply with the laws of Liberia.
Protect rights of all
The team of lawyers stated that they are calling on the Government to protect the rights of all Liberians.
The lawyers stated that while they welcome that act, the Law Society wishes to extend a hand of partnership to the new Attorney General in promoting Justice and protecting the rights of all Liberians.
“However, the Law Society would like to remind the Attorney General of the herculean task ahead and past missteps of our government, which continue to haunt its human rights credentials”, the group indicated.
Amongst the many cases, the Law Society stated that it notes with interest the case of Mr. Vandarla Patricks and others, the unfinished and inconclusive case of the Late Michael Allison and Harry Greaves, the case of alleged assault against Ms. Esther Gblain, the Late Victoria Zayzay who allegedly died in Police custody, the Case of the VOA Children and many others.
The Law Society added: “Others include the case of the People of Nimba allegedly connected to the situation of violence at Mittal Steel facilities, the case of Grand Gedeans who continue to languish in prison, the death in custody and other Sinoeans who continue to suffer as a result of being accused of alleged violence at the Golden Valoreum (GVL) facilities in Sinoe, the over crowdedness and dehumanizing conditions of our prisons and many others.
The many cases of rape and sexual assault and abuse and the decriminalization of our defamation laws as expressed in several public utterances by our government remain inconclusive.
These are just but a few on our checklist. In each of these cases, we seek justice! We intend to continue to engage government on these issues”.
Offering helping hands
The lawyers noted that these are amongst the many cases inherited by the Attorney General but noted that it has now become his responsibility and offered to work with the new SG.
Stated the Law Society: “We intend to work with you but will not compromise our position on human rights, justice, peace, respect for the rule of law and the consolidation of our democratic order”.
Freeman was declared wanted for making utterances which led the Police to invite him for questioning and resulted to his secret departure from the country.
Freeman during a press conference early this year following the mysterious discovery of the dead body of former Liberia Petroleum refining Company (LPRC) Managing Director Harry Greaves, Jr. alleged that the Government had a list of individuals placed on death squad to be executed.
“There are rumors that the government has formed a death squad, these rumors are all around even in newspapers that there is blacklist of critical persons, ten people that are critical on this government and am told that I am one of the persons even on that list that supposed to be eliminated,” Freeman said in February.
Freeman also accused the government of involvement in what he termed mafia-style of execution.
Following the statement, the Police declared Freeman a wanted man and Police officers surrounded his home on the Bushrod Island, preventing his movement.
Police officials at the time declared the residence of Freeman as a Crime Scene but days later, the opposition politician mysteriously fled the country where he is yet to return.