IPNEWS-Monrovia: The authoritative Independent Probe newspaper reports that the former Chief Justice of Liberia, former Justice Minister, former Maryland County Senator and former Commissioner of the National Elections Commission, Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott along with three of her relatives, including Ma Rebecca Youdeh Wisner, Gertrude Newton and Alice Johnson have been escorted at the Criminal Court ‘C’ presided over by Judge Blamo Dixon following a Habeas Corpus writ filed by their lawyers after the quartet were invited on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at the headquarters of the Liberia National Police (LNP) for a further investigation into the murder of the Charloe Musu, a daughter of the former Cllr. Scott.
It seems all the actions were not only centered at the LNP headquarters on Tuesday. The legal team of the former Chief Justice may be saw a loophole in the process and tried to capitalize on it.
At precisely 15:15 GMT, they filed a petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for the release of their clients.
In their seven-count petition to Criminal Court ‘C’ Judge Blamo Dixon, they said among other things, “That on February 22, 2023, during the early night hours, Petitioners’ home situated in Virginia was intruded by unknown persons who attacked petitioner and member of the household resulting to the deaths of Charloe Musu.
That following the incident, Co-Petitioner, Cllr. Gloria M. Musu-Scott reported the matter to the police on duty at Brewerville, but before this incident, two separate attacks were made at the Petitioners’ home, which were also reported to the Police.
That following the above-mentioned incidents, the police commenced an investigation with the petitioners since February 23, 2023 and petitioners have since been cooperating with the police investigation. And that during this investigation, the petitioners that reported the case wer3e under pressure and treated as if they were the culprits. That on today, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, petitioners were by way of telephone called to appear and upon appearance, the petitioners were arrested and detained in the presence of their counsels without formal charge.”
According to Cllr. Scott’s legal team, this conduct on the part of the defendants is sufficient to trigger a Writ of Habeas Corpus. So, they were praying the court to produce the living bodies of Cllr. Scott, Ma Rebecca Youdeh Wisner, Gertrude Newton and Alice Johnson, who had been held without charge by the LNP.
However, early Tuesday evening the Government of Liberia announced that a special press briefing would be conducted today, Wednesday to update Liberians on the outcome of the investigation of the Charloe Musu murder incident.
So today between 11 am and 12 noon, former Chief Justice Scott and her three other relatives were escorted to the Criminal Court ‘C’ where it is expected hearing into the Habeas Corpus filed by her lawyers in the absence of being charged to yesterday will be heard.
Police Comments on Habeas Corpus Writ filed against LNP
Addressing journalists at the specially arranged Ministry of Information press briefing on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, upon an inquiry from journalists Deputy Police Inspector General for Crime Services, Prince Mulbah did admit that the Habeas Corpus Writ was filed against the LNP to produce the living bodies of the four suspects, but their lawyers will handle said matter with the court.
Deputy Inspector General Mulbah also said under the law there is a 48 period where the police can hold suspects as investigation goes on, so today their lawyer will address the Court’s order filed against the LNP.
Background
It can recalled the home of former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott was allegedly attacked on three separate occasions by unknown assailant (s) for reasons that have never been established by the Liberia National Police (LNP) and other law enforcement agencies.
Flashback: Cllr. Scott’s home following the incident some months back
On the first and second attacks, Justice Scott alarmed and reported to the LNP and the Ministry of Justice that her home was attacked on two separate occasions, but no items were stolen. The police later admitted to the former Chief Justice’s assertion following public pressure and they had instituted an investigation before the third attack took place that led to the alleged murder of Justice Scott’s niece/daughter, Charloe Musu. There are reports that she was stabbed multiple times by the mystery attacker. Courtesy: Jacqueline Lucia Dennis, IPNEWS Judicial & Legislative Reporter. More Details to follow…….
