While State Prosecutors Complain About Lack Of Funds To Pursue Cases
FLASHBACK: Liberia Joint Security in one of the meeting during the recent electoral process
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
Less than two weeks after the final pronouncement of the November 14, 2023 presidential runoff election, state security forces Liberia including the Police and Immigration officers have threatened to stage a protest in demand of their salaries and other remunerations.
Incumbent President George Manneh Weah of the ruling CDC party narrowly lost the election to former Vice President, Joseph Nyuma Boakai of the main opposition Unity Party as winner.
During the electoral process, some US$4 million was said to have been disbursed to compensate national security officers for their services in providing security during the elections, which were generally peaceful.
Last week, officers of the elite presidential force, Executive Protection Service (EPS) also threatened to shortly stage a “widcat protest” in Monrovia due to the lack of payment of their benefit fund. But the EPS high command has so far remained tightlipped on the latest protest threat by agents of the force that protect VIPs including the President and Vice Presidents of Liberia.
State Prosecutors also on edge over lack of financial support
At the same time, state prosecutors/government lawyers say they are experiencing funding drought which may led to a complete paralysis in the court system.
This Reporter has reliably learned that state prosecutors around the country, especially county attorneys (CAs) who get various amounts every term of court to ensure the smooth prosecution of cases are complaining that for the past two terms, August A.D. 2023 Term and November A.D. 2023 Term, not a cent has been given them to prosecute cases on behalf of the government.
The importance of Prosecution Fund, (PF), as it is referred to can be overemphasized. The PF is what CAs use to fund the entire process of prosecuting cases i.e., transporting witnesses to and fro for appearing before the grand jury and even during trial; feeding and providing lodging for witnesses and transporting inmates to and from prison compounds for trial.
When contacted, the County Attorney for Bong County, Atty. Jonathan Flomo confirmed the situation and informed this Reporter that the lack of funds is severely impeding their functions as CAs and can be interpreted as a willful neglect on the part of the Ministry of Justice yea the government.
County Attorney Flomo explained that in the midst of the lack of funding to CAs, he was astonished when newspapers had it that the Ministry of Justice allocated a whopping $130,000.00 USD to prosecute the former chief justice.
“If this is true then I am certain that’s the reason why PF is not being provided us.” He wondered the rationale for doing this? “How can you abandon hundreds of cases all over the country for a single case? Are we now suggesting that a single life lost is more important that the hundreds of murders that have to be prosecuted all over the country?”
According to the Bong County Attorney, similar circumstances occurred during the November A.D. 2019 Term of Court when it was alleged that the former Solicitor General, Cllr. Serena Cephus and other went to the United States on (Assets Investigation, Restitution and Recovery Team (AIRReT)” matters using money intended for prosecution.
“As a result, we never got PF and we were never refunded even though we were assured that we will receive the money, a representation which had some of us crediting money to prosecute cases. It took me months to repay the LD$230,000.00 debt I incurred.
He further said that at the crust of the matter “is not only the difficulties we are now facing in performing our duties but also our reputation and integrity. This is the kind of situation that leads to corrupt practices. Some of us have worked diligently and honestly in keeping with the values we stand for. I can tell for free that no amount of difficulties will change me from who I am and what I will do for my country. I am the only CA who-against great odds-was able to successfully laisse with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to help solve a murder in Bong County. As head of the prosecutorial team for Bong County over the past five years, the Ministry of Justice/Republic of Liberia has won over 125 cases and have indicted over 200 criminals. If the situation become unbearable for me I will rather resign,” County Attorney Flomo narrated.
Due to this funding drought affecting CAs, it can be argued that victims of crimes and even accused persons will not get justice.
Recently the superintendent for the prison in Sinoe County visited the office of the County Attorney lamenting that the septic tank at the prison has burst posing heath hazard. One can just imagine how perplexed the CA of Sinoe was in the midst of the difficulties they are going through.
It can be recalled that during former President Sirleaf’s administration, inmates use to be fed three times a day but since the Weah led administration, inmates have been fed one time a day.
On many occasions, prisons around the country will go out of food completely. In recent days, authorities at the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation (BCR) which is under the Ministry of Justice have mandated the all prisons in the country to refuse the intake of defendants sent their various courts. The reasons for this mandate, we are told is not only because prisons around the country are overcrowded but also because prison around the country are now unable to feed the existing population of inmates. This is another very serious problem in our justice delivery system.
It is sad that these professional state prosecutors have been brought to their knees by the conduct of the Ministry. Back in the days, the position of county attorney was a prestigious position not only by mere title but by the incentives, remunerations and support from the government. CAs were assigned vehicles, their offices were well furnished and they were supplied all that was necessary to carry out their duties. This made them effective.
But the Weah-led government chose to neglect the justice sector and only those with resilient mind could work successfully in such environment.
A year ago (2022), prosecutors had to go on strike to claim the attention of the government. According to information, County Attorneys were then promised vehicles but those vehicles are yet to be provided.