Amid Suspension Of Solicitor General Cllr. Nyanti Tuan From Continuing To Lead Prosecution
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia- In the ongoing murder case involving the violent death of the daughter of Charloe Musu, the daughter of former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott, lawyers representing the legal interest of the Cllr. Scott and three others have filed a writ of Certiorari to the Justice in Chamber Jamesetta H. Wolokolie, as Garmah Never Lomo reports.
On Wednesday September 20, 2023, defense lawyers prayed the high court review and reverse a recent ruling handed down by Judge Roosevelt Z Willie; who suspended the Solicitor General on allegation of jurors’ tampering.
On Monday September 18, Criminal Court “A” Judge suspended the Solicitor General of Liberia Nyenti Tuan from further representing the government in the trial proceedings of the former chief Justice and her family members accused of murder among other crimes.
However, defense Writ of Certiorari filed to the Justice in Chamber highlight a revision and correction of the ruling they termed as erroneous and prejudicial by the Judge. Defense indicated that the judge should have suspended the trial and conduct a full-scale investigation on the allegation, in order to ascertain the extent of his visit.
Defense noted that on September 13, of the Solicitor General (Cllr Nyenti Tuan) drove to the Temple of Justice at about 9:30 p.m. and ordered judicial security in person of Marcus Cleon to give him access to the premises of the Temple of Justice but he refused. Following the refusal of the officers, Cllr Tuan forcefully made his way in thus engaging with officers assigned with the sequestered jurors.
Defense further, “He forcefully gained entry to the compound and proceeded to the trial jurors that have been sworn and sequestrated under the basement of the temple of Justice and had discussions, and even extended financial consideration to them with hopes of jurors’ returning verdict in favor of the Government of Liberia/Plaintiff in these proceedings.”
During a special proceeding with the judge in Chamber the Solicitor-General, Cllr. Nyenti Tuan admitted gaining access to premises where Jurors were being sequestered and quickly noted that he did not want the reoccurrence of what happened in the US$100million-drug-case, wherein the government suffered losses after a ‘Not Guilty Verdict” was handed down.
He said, “We do not want to experience the same situation that occurred with the 100-million-dollar drug case that was held in Criminal Court ‘C,’ wherein the government lost that case.” during the special proceeding where he admitted interacting with officers assigned with the Jurors.
Based on these reasons the Judge according to the defense team, should have conducted a full-scale investigation with all the parties involved including, the jurors, security, police officers and all who interacted with the Solicitor General.
According to them, that was not done by the Judge who only suspended the Solicitor General; fined him US$250 and dismissed LNP officers without further investigation.
Following the complaint, the Justice in Chamber Jamesetta H. Wolokolie has placed a stay order on the alleged murder trial, citing Judge Roosevelt Willie, the Ministry of Justice, and defense lawyers to a conference on Monday, September 25, 2023, at the hour of 1:00 p.m., in connection with the case.