Home Governance Fatal Attack on Justice Scott’s Home: Public Anger Widened

Fatal Attack on Justice Scott’s Home: Public Anger Widened

by News Manager

By Our Staff Writer

MONROVIA: The series of violent attacks against the Brewerville home of former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott, leading to the coldblooded and macabre killing of her daughter, Charloe Musu, have triggered widespread and vehement public condemnations in the country.

Among institutions and groups that have expressed disdain (scorn) and repugnance (dislike) over the attacks during which other family members of the ex-Chief Justice sustained injuries on their body parts include the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA), former Vice President, and Standard Bearer of the former ruling Unity Party, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, People’s Action Network, a civil Society outfit, among others.

In a strong-worded statement issued in Monrovia, the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA), has condemned what it calls the “outrageous attacks and pure act of savagery,” carried out at the residence of former Chief Justice Gloria Musu-Scott, which resulted into the death of her daughter, a graduating Senior of the Starz University College in Sinkor and the injuries of other family members.
The LNBA statement, signed by its Secretary General, Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah, termed the attacks as “unprovoked, callous and brutal.”
Last Wednesday, February 22, 2023, Justice Scott’s residence, which is situated in Brewerville, on the outskirt of Monrovia, was invaded by some unidentified individuals who terrorized her and other family members.

Prior to the fatal incident, Justice Scott had earlier alarmed over the consecutive invasions of her private residence which took place specifically on February 8 and 9 of 2023.
Narrating her ordeal at the time, Justice Scott, who is also former Chairperson Constitution Review Committee revealed that the unidentified men had gained access to her kitchen via the roof of her front porch but they could not get access to the main house owing to the fact that the door separating the kitchen and the main house was locked.

In its statement, the LNBA said it is utterly dismayed over such cruel act of violence, which has repeatedly marred the Political landscape and gravely threatened Civil Liberty, Freedom of Expression and Association as guaranteed under the 1986 Constitution of Liberia.”
According to the Liberian Lawyers, the increase in the waves of unprovoked and life-threatening attacks on prominent and peaceful citizens are purely calculative measure of intimidation as the country fast approaches the crucial October 10, 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections.
The LNBA noted that these unwarranted attacks against eminent personalities have the proclivity to instill fear in the general population.
The LNBA cautioned the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC)-led administration of President George Manneh Weah to take concrete actions against vices that serve as motivation to the worrisome happenings in the country.
“The Liberian Government must take all necessary steps to prevent acts of motivated violence and refrain from all inflammatory actions that could incite similar attacks or deter people from enjoying their civil liberties ahead of the crucial 2023 elections,” LNBA stated.
The umbrella group of lawyers has also urged the Government of Liberia (GoL) to jumpstart a swift and comprehensive investigation with the primary goal of ensuring that the perpetrators of such heinous acts against a revered public servant are brought to book.
LNBA also called on the government through the Liberia National Police (LNP) and all other members of the security apparatus to take siege of the matter with due diligence.

While expressing its willingness to partner and cooperate with relevant actors to ensure the country remains on the path of peace as the October elections fast approaches, the Association warned that such act of cruelty should not be taken lightly.

The Lawyers reminded the Government of its constitutional responsibility to provide security for all of its citizens irrespective of statuses.
LNBA noted that in adherence to Article (a) of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia which states; “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, security of the person, property, privilege or any other right except as the outcome of a hearing judgment consistent with the provision laid down in the 1986 Constitution in accordance with due process,” the Government of Liberia must ensure that providing security for its citizens remain its primary concern.
In the same vein, the Executive Director of a local Pressure group, styled: “People Action Network (PAN),” Ambassador Rufus Neufville, said his institution is deeply saddened by the fatal attacks on the home of the former Chief justice.
Ambassador Neufville, in a press statement, issued on Monday, February 27, 2023 described the attacks and subsequent killing of the ex-Chief Justice’s daughter as cowardly and barbaric.
Ambassador Neufville indicated that information gathered suggest that the attackers stabbed the victims multiple times, causing the death of Justice Scott’s daughter, Charloe Musu and seriously injured another family member.

He used the occasion to call for a speedy and credible investigation of the matter and that the outcome of said probe be made public.
“The perpetrators of this heinous act must be brought to justice and held accountable for their actions,” PAN boss emphasized.

He said the apparent failure on the part of the Liberian government to provide security for Justice Scoot then, her and her family resulted to the killing of one of her daughters, a promising young lady.
He pointed that the Constitution of Liberia, the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and other international protocols and conventions to which the Republic of Liberia remain a signatory give all citizens the right to protection.

It is so saddened that the Former Chief Justice, Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott wasn’t given protection after she raised alarms earlier, Neufville pointed out.

“We, members of People’s Action Network condemn the repeated acts of violence perpetrated against women and children in Liberia. We are following this case with keen interest, while we are also watching closely the government of Liberia, through the Liberia National Police to act appropriately,” he said.
Similarly, top human rights lawyer, turned politician, Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, has also added his strong voice of condemnations on the attacks of Justice Scott. Gongloe has strongly urged the Liberian government to take “the act of cruelty carried out by armed men against the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott that led to the death of her daughter and injuring of her other family members seriously.

He said for a high personality like the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia to suffer third-time assassination attempts for the last two weeks, leaving her daughter dead and another in critical condition after several stabbed wounds by her attackers should not be taken lightly.
Addressing a news conference Monday, February 27, 2023, Cllr. Gongloe who is also the political Leader of the Liberian People’s Party (LPP), wondered as to why the CDC led government has not spoken on Justice Scott’s issues up to present.
“It is required that the Government of Liberia brief the public on a periodic basis on this grave issue, least to keep the public informed on this security situation, but they are not doing so,” he said.
The Presidential Hopeful expressed fear that if the government fail to take Justice Scott’s situation seriously, it may scare away much needed investors.
The attackers also made away with the ex-Chief Justice’s laptops, phones and other personal effects in addition to ransacking documents which were in her vehicle after its alarm system was tempered with.

However, speaking on the incident, Police Spokesman, H. Moses Carter, told journalists that intense investigation is ongoing to establish the intent of the attackers and to bring the alleged perpetrators to justice.

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