They’re Again Agitating For Funding And Logistics
PHOTO: (L-R) The head-of-state-prosecutors, Cllr.-Adolphus-Karnuah-and-Justice Min. Frank-Musa-Dean
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
In the face of the security crisis in Lofa County, which led to the death of two persons and several severely injured, County Attorneys in Liberia have threatened to pull out of cases during this electoral period, if they are not given funding.
Highly placed sources within state prosecution circle, claimed that although the Ministry of Justice has reportedly received US$4 million for election operations, o the Ministry was only focusing on the Liberia National Police (LNP), leaving out the prosecutorial arm including County Attorneys who are the heads of the joint security in the various counties. Liberia has 15 counties.
In previous elections, County Attorneys across the country used to have their own budget but since this government took over, it is difficult to see that happening, the state prosecutors have complained.
But Justice Minister, Cllr. Frank Musa Dean has said his office has not received any official communication from state prosecutors in this regard. According to him, no such funding has been budgeted.
Funds for prosecution have even failed to come regularly and prosecutors use their little pay to facilitate prosecution of cases, one of the County Attorneys (name withheld) said.
“We are frustrated over the lack of funding for the Joint security to effectively perform their responsibilities during the elections. We will not raise our lives to be victims of any incidents like what occurred in Foya where an immigration officer got severely wounded on his mouth because of lack of protective gear. We are not even mobile with vehicles lest to say motorbikes to move around and coordinate the Security during the elections,” said the County Attorney who prefers anonymity.
According to state prosecutors, a communication was written to Justice Minister Cllr. Frank Musa Dean early in August this year, informing him that usually when there is election in the country, County Attorneys can have funding for joint security operations.
But since that communication was written to Minister Dean, they are yet to receive a response from Liberia’s Attorney General.
This news outlet has gathered that since the August 2023 Term of Court commenced in the aftermath of a series of go-slow actions and boycott of court opening, the picture is yet to change. During their public pronouncements, prosecutors have complained of low funding to prosecute cases, lack of logistics, housing and other challenges faced by County Attorneys and state prosecutors assigned across Liberia.
Meanwhile, County Attorneys have vowed not to risk lives in these elections, if they are not supported by their own Justice Ministry.