Our observation is that many Liberians, some of them prominent citizens, seem to be driven by sentiments and empathy in the murder case involving former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott and others.
Typical of these Liberians is presidential aspirant and law professor, Tiawan Saye Gongloe, whose latest comments are suggesting that because Cllr. Scott is a former Justice Minister, Chief Justice, Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, and Chairperson of the Law Reform Commission, she should not have been treated the way she was treated.
His comments have got us wondering as to how he would have wanted the former Chief Justice to be treated. Preferentially? No. that’s not how the rule of law works; he knows that.
As far we do know, it is a normal routine of the Liberia National Police, the first line of our criminal justice system, to arrest suspects, no matter who they are, keep them in their custody and process them within 48 hours send them to court.
That’s exactly what happened in the case of the former Chief Justice.
So where did the Police go wrong?
Cllr. Gongloe and others must understand that murder is felonious and no matter whosoever is involved or accused, like the former Chief Justice, one of the prime suspects in the alleged murder of her foster daughter, the law must take its course.
Besides, it is flabbergasting that Cllr. Gongloe, a law professor and an astute lawyer that he is, will take such a position in this legal matter.
Would he have taken such a position if it were an ordinary Liberian and not the former Chief Justice?
In our view, rather than condemning the Police for the arrest of the former Chief Justice, Cllr. Gongloe and others’ advocacies should be on the demand for a due process within the ambit of the law.
Another point here is, Cllr. Scott and others are innocent and until they are proven guilty. Let those politicizing the matter and already adjudging her guilty stop and give the justice system a chance.
Let’s allow the law to take its course, after all, the former Chief Justice and others are not above the law. As it is often said, Liberia is a country of law and not men.
It is however our fervent hope that as the law prevails in the Gloria Musu-Scott case, it will prevail in all other cases no matter, who will be involved and the party he or she supports.
This is why we urge all of us Liberians to allow the law to take its course as is the case with the former Chief Justice, a stalwart of the former ruling Unity Party.
