—Wants Independent Prosecutors

IPNEWS: The Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL), is calling for the hiring of independent Prosecutors in the ongoing trial of Liberia’s former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott, and three other family members.

In a release issued in Monrovia over the weekend, the Civil Society Council stated that considering the most recent experience of the 100 million drug case, there is a need for the government of Liberia to hire the service of independent prosecutors to handle the matter into the unfortunate death of Charlotte Musu at the home of former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott in Brewerville.

The NCSCL said while it appreciates the services being rendered by state lawyers to our country, it is of the view that current prosecutors should be assisted with much-needed professional legal support to deal with the magnitude of the case.

NCSCL, which is the apex body of all civil society organizations in the country, says it has been following with keen interest the unfortunate death of Charlotte Musu at the home of former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott in Brewerville, especially ongoing public interest of the case due to repeated delays by the Liberia National Police to bring public findings of the investigating to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident that caused the life of a promising Liberian, Charlotte Musu in a gruesome manner, the government could do all but to ensure there is the fair outcome of the case in keeping with the law.

“Our heart goes out to the parents of this young lady for this irreparable loss. While we are still mourning this evil act, the Liberia National Police has recently provided updates on its investigation after questioning people of interest. It was reported by the media and confirmed by the son of Cllr. Musu Scott that she was charged, along with other family members, namely: Rebecca Youdeh Wisner, Gertrude Newton, and Alice Johnson, with the crimes of murder, conspiracy and making false statements to the law enforcement officers. The accused were detained and later released by the Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of Justice after lawyers representing the former Chief Justice filed a Writ of Habeas Corpus.

However, the accused were again sent to jail at the Monrovia Central Prison a day later.” NCSCL stated.

The National Civil Society Council of Liberia further noted that it takes seriously concerned about these legal proceedings and calls on everyone involved to the case to refrain from politicizing it since the ultimate desire of all Liberians and the international community is to get fair justice dispensed in this matter regardless of who is held culpable.

NCSCL: “For too long, we have watched cases of similar magnitude treated with lip-service and lope warmness by the Government at the detriment of ensuring justice. We are calling on the Government of Liberia to make the world see us as serious people who are committed to upholding the rule of law. We want to see this matter reach a logical conclusion and justice would be served regardless of who is involved. This is not the time for business as usual. Just few days before the charges were levied against Cllr. Scott and others, the Government had lost a landmark case involving the importation of US$100 million worth of drugs case. This drugs case has put grouses booms on the skin everyone including our international partners and friends. The performance of state lawyers was blamed for the undesired outcome of that case in spite of the preponderance of evidence.”

“Additionally, we want to appeal to the United States Government through its embassy near Monrovia, the European Union and ECOWAS to take keen interest in this matter so that real perpetrators can face the full weight of the law. The loss of a life should claim the stern attention of everyone and a free, fair, and transparent adjudication of this matter is sine qua non to a vibrant rule of law and judicial system in Liberia. We demand impartial justice with no manipulation. When justice is fairly and expeditiously dispensed, we can be confident that justice is indeed for all and not just a mere motto hanging on the walls of the Temple of Justice.”

“NCSCL cautions all justice dispensers to remain legally professional while administering justice as this is key to maintaining peace and security now and in the future.” The NCSCL release concludes.