PHOTO: (L-R) Head of state prosecutors, Cllr. Adolphus Karnuah and Justice Min. Frank Musa Dean
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
In a call to prosecute cases amidst state prosecutors ongoing go-slow action, Liberia’s Ministry of Justice is expected to grant letter Patent to private lawyers in order to administer Justice, with blame being laid on Finance Minister Samuel Tweah.
The strike by state prosecutors, which is in protest against unpaid salaries and other allowances and logistics, could paralyze the country’s normal court system if it continues. Besides state prosecutors, the CDC government is also in salary arrears with other judicial workers and civil servants in various ministries and agencies.
The letter patent public service announcement was signed by Assistant Justice Minister Cllr. Wesseh A. Wesseh.
A public service announcement further says that the Justice Ministry wishes to assure the general public and party litigants that all is being done to resolve the boycott of courts instituted by prosecuting attorneys.
On November 14, the National Association of Prosecutors of Liberia through its president, J Adolphus Karnuah called on all City Solicitors and Prosecutors to stay away from all Courts and Prosecution until the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning meets all demands put forth by members of the association.
Excerpt from the communication ” By the directive of the president, Cllr. J. Adolphus Karnuah II, all City Solicitors/Prosecutors, you are ordered to stay away from all Courts/ Prosecutions until the Central Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning meets all demands put forth from/by the National Association of Prosecutors of Liberia (NAPL)”
“This boycott or standoff is meant to better/benefit the interest of all prosecutors across the country “the president noted in the communication
Prior to the boycott, NAPL on November 1, 2022, had threatened to boycott the November Term of Court, if the government of Liberia through the Ministry Of Finance and Development Planning fails to uphold the promises made to them in a meeting held with members of the Association.
What led to the standoff actions by state Prosecutors?
NAPL in a written communication, addressed to the Minister of Justice, Cllr Frank Musa Dean cited unpaid salaries and benefits that state prosecutors should receive inorder to adequately carried out their functions.
In their request, the association through its president, Cllr Adolphus Karnuah called on the government to fulfill the promises made to State Prosecutors in a meeting held, and that includes providing vehicles for County prosecutors within the various counties; and increasing the salaries of prosecutors across the country.
“The current salaries of State prosecutors are unrealistic and unacceptable and the body have resolved that salaries of prosecutors be increased to commemorate the herculean work and task associated with prosecution” Karnuah noted
NAPL through its president said the government needed to have urgently address the issue of six(6) prosecutors who were admitted as Counsellors-at-law,and requested that their status be improved inorder to accommodate the roles they are playing.
Cllr. Karnuah then noted that if said request are not granted, prosecutors across the country will stay away from the court’s term in November.
“As failure for those demands to be met, prosecutors under this banner will engage in the boycott of courts across the country ” he said.
Did the government fulfill the promises made to State Prosecutors?
As per their actions, said promises by the government through the Minister of Finance, Samuel Tweah has not been fulfilled and that has caused the Ministry of Justice to grant Letter Patents to Private prosecuting lawyers; something which could have been avoided if the government had lived up to its promises made to State Prosecutors.
Meanwhile, in a letter signed by the Assistant Minister for Litigation, Cllr Wesseh A. Wesseh said that the Ministry of Justice was working out modalities to ensure that all is done to resolve the boycott of courts by Prosecuting Attorneys.
Background
In May of 2021, state prosecutors again boycotted the May A.D term of court opening due to the reasons mentioned above. State Prosecutors In Liberia Threaten Another Go-Slow Action Over Pay, Logistics – News Public Trust
“As failure for those demands to be met, prosecutors under this banner will engage in the boycott of courts across the country,” he said.
The head of state prosecutors called on the Minister of Justice to communicate with relevant agencies of government responsible in order to address their request.