– As Spirit of Student John Kpannah Killed in Gbarnga Cries Out for Justice
The struggle to redeem Liberia from the hands of killers and violators of Human Rights remains an uphill battle.
Even though Isaac Railey, AKA General Mercury, worked in fighting crimes within the Jacob Town community in 1998, before being later assigned in Gbarnga in Bong County as Commander of Gbarnga Detachment of the Liberia National Police.
Isaac Railey, who once served as bodyguard to feared killer, Benjamin Yeaten during the regime of former Liberia President Charles G. Taylor, has resurfaced within the ranks of the government national security, as Director -Forest Ranger, at the Forestry Development Authority (FDA).
Prior to the ascendancy of the Charles Taylor government in 1997, Isaac Railey worked with the Executive Mansion Presidential Guard Force (EMPGF) of the National Patriotic Reconstruction Assembly Government (NPRAG) in the former Greater Liberia that was headed the leader of the erstwhile rebel National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) before he (Railey) joined the Special Operations Division (SOD) of the Liberia National Police (LNP) in 1997, following the election of Charles G. Taylor as President of Liberia.
Col. Isaac Railey – Director FDA Forest Rangers
Railey was subsequently assigned to the Jacob’s Town Police station in 1998, before being assigned in Gbarnga, Bong County, as County Commander.
As commander of the Gbarnga Police Detachment of the Liberia National Police, while on patrol in 2000, he reportedly murdered in cold blood a student at the St. Peter School, in Zota District, Gbarnga in Bong County on allegation of being a criminal.
According to the report, commander Isaac Railey accused little John Kpannah of being a criminal after he was found with chicken and other food in his possession even after repeated claims that the items were given to him by his parents.
In the process of interrogation, Isaac Railey shot little John Kpannah, in the chest while begging for mercy.
The killing of little John Kpannah, sparked outrage across Bong County, leading to the burning down of the Police station, and the subsequent arrest of Isaac Railey by the LNP, jailed at the Monrovia Central Prison and later fled the country until the departure of former Liberian President Charles Taylor into exile in 2003.
Subsequently following the escape of notorious killer Benjamin Yeaten to the Republic of Togo, Isaac Railey united with Mr. Yeaten and became his chief bodyguard until in 2010, when he parted company with Benjamin Yeaten, with frequent trips to the Bujumbura refugees’ camp in Ghana and back to Monrovia, where he drove TAXI cap between Monrovia and Buchanan City.
In 2017, Isaac Railey joined the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), and later joined the SABU Unit until the victory of the CDC and was rewarded the post of Forest Ranger Director, Forestry Development Authority (FDA).
It may be recalled, Former chief Investigator of the United Nations Sierra Leone backed War Crimes Court, Alan White, rubbished assertions by warlords and supporters that the establishment of War and Economic Crimes court in Liberia, will further sink Liberia back into violence.
Dr. White stated that the ‘rule of law is much more powerful than the barrel of the gun’, and nothing should sway Liberians away from ensuring that those bearing the greatest responsibility of unwarranted killings, the destruction of the country’s fabric and stealing of the wealth of the country account for their deliberate acts.
It can be recalled while speaking on the special edition of The Costa Show on Thursday, May 20, 2021, Dr. White encouraged Liberians to remain focused on their request for the establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court as the best options for a stable Liberia, and ensuring accountability in the public sector.
Allen White – former chief prosecutor Sierra Leone War Court
The former Sierra Leone War Crimes investigator, called on Liberians to demand the enactment of recommendations by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), genuinely established by the people of Liberia through the Accra Comprehensive Peace Accord.
Dr. White stated that the implementation of the TRC recommendations would put an end to unwarranted acts of murders and economic crimes in Liberia.
“The success of Liberia growth is up to the people of Liberia to demand what they demanded during the Accra, Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) by ensuring the TRC recommendations are fully enacted.” Dr. Alan White stated.
Recounting his experience from setting up of the Sierra Leone Wars Crimes Court, Dr. White stated there is no need for Liberians to be afraid in bringing perpetrators to justice for War and Economic crimes.
“We were told repeatedly that as soon as we started our quest for prosecution in Sierra Leone that would have plunged the country back into crisis.”
“I remember the Civil Defense leader Hinga Norman, who had a little over ten thousand rebel fighters, including head of the internal security of Sierra Leone, who had complete control of the entire security apparatus, such as the Army, Police, intelligence and the Immigration, including all of those you think would be there if we persuaded him. But you wouldn’t imagine, on March 10, 2003, when I launched operations ‘Justice’ and arrested everyone, especially Hinga Norman, and 13 others in the public, the people got the news and begun dancing in the streets of Sierra Leone. I mean nobody came to his defense.” Dr. Alan White narrated the episode of operations Justice in neighboring Sierra Leone.
INPFL rebel general Prince Y. Johnson
On the issue of whether the international community would accept the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court led by the current government of President George Weah, Dr. Allen White, stated that ‘given the demonstrated performance of the government over the last three years does not show that the Weah’s government is serious for establishing the War crimes court.’
Pres. Weah addresses the UNGA in 2019
He recounted memories of September 2019, of President George Weah’s address to the United Nations General Assembly for over 20 minutes calling for assistance, but upon arrival to Monrovia, he give contrary statements to the Liberian media.
“Look this will be my suggestion: The TRC act thus recognizes the establishment of a War Crimes Court; it also requires the government to not only support it but to set it up, including harnessing other international support.”
“So than, I will use the Sierra Leone experience model because in my opinion that’s what needs to be done in Liberia. What President Kabba did was to send a letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations expressing support for the War Crimes Court because he knew he never had the capacity and the funding, so than, the Secretary General in consultation with other members agreed to support that.”
“So to avoid the issue of conflict of interest and mitigate corruption, it was agreed that this court would be an international court, that would have both international and national jurisdiction, including staff by international to avoid corruption, mitigate conflict of interest and ensure its done transparently.”
“I would suggest that President Weah immediately send a letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations requesting that the court is established, including necessary funding, and other support that may include security.” Dr. White cautioned.
On the management of the War Crimes Court, Dr. White recommended that in consideration of Liberia’s current standing on the corruption index, that no member of the Weah’s administration formed part of the composition of the Liberia’s version of the War Crimes Court.
He said the court would need a member from the civil society with immense credibility, legal background that would interact with the international community.
Dr. White furthermore proposed that the statute for the establishment of War Crimes Court, be determined by signing of a treaty between the government of Liberia and the United Nations on allowing the United Nation makes appointment of staff such as: ‘Prosecutor, Registrar, members of the trial chambers and on the appeals Court’.
Former TRC Chairman Cllr. Jerome Verdier
“This will ease the pressure on anybody inside the country for collusion, corruption, threat, bribery, and any other concerns that can happen in cautioning the integrity of the court.”
“The president needs to start this, or the Legislature that report for the people to immediately enact this and send to the president. However, there has to be modification made to the Economic Crimes and War Crimes Court statue, that will either be signed by the president or if he vetoes it, the Legislature can override the president. But both the House and the Senate need to hear from their people.” Dr. White recommended.
