Amid Attack, Murder At Former Chief Justice Residence, Ex-VP Boakai worried Over Insecurity

With the much-publicized 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections barely seven months away, there are worrying signs of the nation’s security, especially on the heel of the recent cold murder of former Justice Gloria Musu Scott’s daughter, Charloe Musu in an armed robbery attack, which on Wednesday, February 22, 2023  at the former Chief Justice residence  in Brewerville, outside Monrovia. 

The  latest attack, which was  the third in a wave of attacks reported by her, has since been widely condemned by Liberians from all walks of life, with many expressing their sympathy over the death of Charloe Musu and called on the Government of Liberia(GoL) through the Liberia National Police(LNP) to leave no stone unturned in speedily bringing to justice perpetrators of the tear jerking incident so as to serve as deterrence for others who may want to engage into similar sinister act. 

In an interview with the media following the tear-jerking incident, Cllr. Scout questioned the motive of her attempted assassination as she mourns her daughter who got killed in the mayhem. ‘‘What did I do, my people what did I do to people that they want my life? Y’all please ask the question Y’all who on my side. What are you people hearing that I did? I don’t want to be President, I don’t want to be Senator or Chairman of any political party here, so why are they after me?,’’  the former Chief Justice of Liberia uttered. FWhat dRONT SLIDERNEWS

The former Chief Justice currently serves as the Lead Counsel of the Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence’s faction of the opposition Liberty Party(LP), pleading legal cases filed against Senator Lawrence and the others by the party’s Chairman Mr. Musa Hassan Bility. For nearly three years now, the Liberty Party has been involved in controversies following the election of businessman turned-politician, Musa Hassan Bility, who has been accused of allegedly altering the party’s constitution, an allegation Mr. Bility has since rubbished.
The persistent armed robbery attacks on the home of Cllr. Scott would claim her life and the lives of other family members if the government continues to play deaf ears to the need to provide security for her and her immediate family members in the midst of a politically charged terrain and either ongoing or pending high-profile political cases ahead of the elections slated for October of this year. These attacks appear to be intimidation tactics being implored by some perceived political opponents to acquire sensitive legal documents, and discourage or get rid of Cllr.  Scott.
Accordingly, former Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has expressed concerned and is one of those deeply worried about the state of the nation’s security evidenced by latest attack and many other attacks on Liberians and residents, without any tangible outcome of investigations. 

It is gathered that prior to attack, Cllr. Scott, who is also a former Minister of Justice and former Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), had alerted police and the Ministry of Justice that her life was in danger, reporting some unknown persons had been tailing her, but nothing was done to protect the lives of the family. 

Former VP Boakai,  in a statement on Monday, February 27, 2023, indicated that such is an attack on the very foundation of the rule of law and democratic society that the nation has been trying to build following years of violent conflict.

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms this despicable, cowardly attack and an act of barbarity carried out by armed men on the Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and many other attacks on Liberians and residents, who remain anonymous and suffer in silence, and whose stories we do not often hear and whose investigations remain inconclusive,” said the former Vice President. 

He claimed out that the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC)- led Government has failed to protect all of us without discrimination as enshrined in the Constitution. 

“In the years of the Weah- administration, we have witnessed an incessant increase in conflict and political violence and increased criminal and interpersonal violence. Criminal activities are rife and remain a major threat to the peace of residents in Monrovia and many other communities in the country. Burglary, armed robbery, rape, drug trafficking, substance abuse, theft, and other acts of violence on persons have become common features of concern in our communities. Sadly, the responsiveness of our security institutions, still challenged with structural and capacity deficiencies, is highly negligible,” he noted.  

“The state security system as is at the moment limited and under-resourced. And instead of investing in peoples’ and community security, President Weah is focused more on elite and private security, which tends to serve him and his few officials. President WEAH’S prescription that citizens buy CCTV cameras to address the rising violence and lawlessness demonstrates his government’s failure, insensitivity, arrogance and lack of understanding of its obligation to the citizens and residents of Liberia. It also shows President Weah and the CDC government’s woeful inadequacies to govern,” furthered former VP Boakai, who is also the standard bearer of the former ruling Unity Party (UP).  

He stressed the need for investment in people’s security, stressing that when this is done, it limits violence and conflict, while at the same time increase access to security for all and build a peaceful society.
 
“As we are alarmed and terrified by the invasion of the home of former chief Justice Gloria Musu-Scott and the violent attack on her family by armed men, we are reminded of the numerous acts of violence and lawlessness that occur each day in homes and communities around the country with nowhere for citizens to turn for help.  This is sadly a daily occurrence.” 

“We note that the attack on Justice Scott and her family occurred after two prior incidents of attack by armed men on her home on the 8th and 9th of February, which she reported. We also note the government's neglect to provide her and her family with security after the previous two violent attacks. It also took several hours before the police arrived on the scene, only after the assailants had safely left.” 

Like many individuals and organizations, former VP Boakai is demanding speedy investigation into the incident and associated circumstances, noting that the outcome of said investigation be made public.

“The perpetrators of this heinous act must be brought to justice and held accountable for their actions. We must not allow violence and intimidation to undermine our hard-won peace and erode the fundamental principles of freedom and democracy we aspire for in our society. This brazen act of criminality sadly underscores the tragic state of affairs in our country where no one is safe, not even in their own home. We are deeply saddened by the pervasive crisis of insecurity and lawlessness that has engulfed our country and frightened fellow citizens and residents who live in constant fear in their homes, communities, towns, and villages. We call on our international partners to take note of the deteriorating security situation and to join us in our demand to impress on the government to fulfill its foremost obligation.” 

According to him, the failure of the Weah-led administration to perform its basic duty of providing safety and security to citizens and residents alike is a major derelict of his constitutional obligation as president.

“Coming on the heels of national legislative and presidential elections just nine months from now, we worry that the current atmosphere of insecurity and violence portends danger that might inversely impact their conduct. These atrocities and provocations on our peace will not deter us. We will continue to collectively invest in our peace. Liberians will march forward to the ballot box to vote the change they deserve. The change, which will ultimately usher in the guarantees for their human dignity,” he maintained.