Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has lost her case at the Supreme Court of Liberia against the President of the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA), Madam Alice Yeebahn who she removed from office last year.
In its ruling handed down today (August 22, 2019), the full bench of the Supreme Court upheld an earlier ruling by a lower court which ordered for the re-instatement of the LMA’s President.
The highest court in the land has therefore ordered the immediate reinstatement of Madam Yeebahn.
FLASHBACK
On July 4 this year, supporters of the embattled President of the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA), Alice Yeabah have stormed the Temple of Justice in Monrovia, demanding justice, after the Internal Affairs and Justice Ministers appointed an interim leadership.
They have also threatened to shut down all markets within two days, if their case cannot be heard by Supreme Court.
The marketers said the case before the Supreme court, which is about eleven months now, and the situation has caused them not to be paid.
Besides the new interim leadership set by the Vice Taylor cut their salaries without any reasons.
The marketers saud the injustice in the country is too much and that they can no longer bear the delay of their case before the Supreme Court of Liberia.
Pro Alice Yeabah marketers were seen singing and chanting slogans: “we want justice”.
And they even went to the extent of spreading potato greens, bitter ball, okra, pepper and other produce in the corridor of the Temple of Justice, linking the Monrovia City Court to that of the Supreme Court.
Then it was the start of their trade of these commodities on the grounds of the seat of the Liberian Judiciary, something they say is to call to attention by the Chief Justice to the marketers.
Prior to the marketers’ latest protest action, the Supreme Court bench heard a ruling by the Civil law, which ruled that embattled Alice Yeabah and her corps of LMA officials be restated. But the lawyer representing Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor took an appeal to the full bench.
One of the reasons the marketers said they stormed the Temple of Justice was a letter from his Honor the Chamber justice Joseph N. Nagbe, which directed Internal Affairs Minister Varney Sirleaf to appoint an interim leadership.is honor Joseph N. Nagbe Associate Justice presiding to for their intervention and or involvement in the resolution of the impasses currently existing between
An appeal is pending before the full bench of the Supreme court and petition for a writ of prohibition filed before the Chamber Justice
The letter further said his Honor request that your good offices will get involved in the matter to have the necessary stability, pending the final resolution of the matter before the full bench and the Justice in Chamber.
Responding to request of his Honor Justice Nagbe, the Internal Affairs Minister in a press statement through it Communications Director, Mr. Emmanuel Wheinyue dated on June 27, 2019 said that the Liberian Government has with immediate effect nullified the leaderships of Madam Alice Yeabah and madam Elizabeth Sambulah, both of the Liberia Marketing Association.
The press release further stated that an interim team has been set up an interim body to take over the affairs of the LMA, beginning July 1 to September 15, 2019 during when a new arrange.ment will be made
According to the press release, the decision was taken by Internal Affairs Minister Varney A. Sirleaf in consultation with the Justice Minisrer Frank Musa Dean.
Those appointed to the interim team are Madam Bundu S. Kamara of Caldwell Market Chairperson, Mr. Patrick Jolo of Grand Gedeh County, co- chairperson and Mr. John Jenneson, former Board member of LMA.
Members of the interim leadership are madam Oldlady Sneh of River Gee county and madam Esther Suehane of Duala market respectively.
Furthermore, the Internal Affairs Minister Varney A. Sirleaf said rhe decision which is a result of broad based consultations, is intended to restore unity and peace within the LMA which has been experiencing leadership crisis for some time now.
The Minister therefore called on all parties to respect the decision and every Liberian with the LMA to contest for the position, including Alice Yeabah and Elizabeth Sambulah. By Never G. Lomo,garmahlomo@gmail.com