-But Dr. Rockefeller debunks the SG’s claim
By Never G. Lomo,garmahlomo@gmail.com
Ever since the mysterious death of a 12th grade female student, Odell Sherman weeks ago, a standoff continues between her family and Liberian security officials regarding autopsy on the body of the young lady.
The 21-year-old victim was found lying in blood withing the compound of Rev. Emmanuel Giddings, who said he did not know Odell Sherman.
But the young woman’s mother rather said that she his daughter revealed that her daughter was on the scholarship of Rev. Giddings, “how come he Rev. Gidings will says he does not know Odell Sherman?”
On Thursday, July 4, Liberia’s Solicitor General designate, Cllr. Semah Syrenius Cephus has referred to independent pathologist Dr. Rockefeller Cooper, II, who is in the country to conduct autopsy, is a “black bag holder” and claimed that he doesn’t have a license to perform such task.
Cooper was brought in by the parents of the late Odell Sherman and several others individuals both from America and Liberia to carry out an autopsy on the body of late Odell, who was found bleeding on the compound of a Methodist cleric, Rev. Giddings on the outskirts of Monrovia recently
Speaking at the regular Thursday press briefing at the Information Ministry in the Liberian capital, Cllr. Cephus said Dr. Rockefeller Cooper was not a license pathologist neither is he a license doctor.
Cllr. Cephus likened Rockefeller’s case to the practice of law, where there are contributors who are not lawyers, but they listen to lawyers speaking in court, learn the jargon of law and when they speak you feel like they are lawyer but they are not.
The Solicitor General disclosed that Dr. Rockefeller Cooper is person of such nature who proposed to have acquired a degree from America but brought no certificate to prove that he is a licese doctor or pathologist.
Liberia’s Solicitor General explained that section 7.4 of the autopsy law give the republic of Liberia the authority to carryout autopsy.
He said that autopsy is an issue of law not perception or right of an individuals and autopsy law deals with two credible individuals and not a contributor adding that Dr. Rockefeller Cooper participation during the autopsy ceremony will bring lot of contradiction, therefore he cannot participate because he is not license.
Meanwhile, when contacted, Dr. Rockefeller Cooper, II said via mobile phone that he is licensed and his resume’ can be checked out from the medical school he graduated from in the United States. He also said reference can be made to the Liberia Medical and Dental Council has document on his credentials.
Dr. Cooper added that Cllr. Cephus is entitled to his view to say whatever he wishes.
He further said he is not hanging around as it was said by Cllr. Cephus and if the government does not want to touch the body it left with them because they have the upper hand.
Dr. Cooper told this Reporter during the dialogue with the police that he holds a degree as a Medical Doctor in forensic pathologist, but he is not assign to hospital like other specialized medical doctor.