By: Naomi Tappia
The opposition bloc in Liberia is demanding that President George Weah dismiss Justice Minister Musa Dean due to the unprecedented number of unsolved murder cases in the country. Liberia has been plagued by a series of homicides and reports of ritualistic killings of minors, yet those in authority to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice have remained silent. The opposition community has criticized this lack of action, calling it a failure to address the concerns of citizens, particularly in light of the alarming rate of unsolved murders.
Recently, former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott’s Brewerville residence was burglarized by unknown assailants who were reportedly searching for her to assassinate her. The incident occurred between 9-10 PM on February 23, 2023. Some speculate that the former Chief Justice, Senator, and Justice Minister’s criticism of President Weah’s administration may have been the motive behind the attack. The late daughter of the former Chief Justice, Charloe Musu, allegedly identified one of the raiders, which infuriated him. He then stabbed her multiple times, injuring her other siblings in the house.
Counselor Scott had previously complained about two attempts on her life at her residence before the current incident that led to her daughter’s murder. Montserrado Senator Darrius Dillion lambasted Justice Minister Musa Dean for his failure to ensure that the issue of homicides across the country is mitigated by conducting robust investigations and taking punitive actions against the criminals. The opposition bloc is calling for Dean’s dismissal, and it remains to be seen how President Weah will respond to their demands.
The government’s sluggish response to Madam Scott’s cries for help has been decried by many, including Grand Bassa County Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence. She described the incident as catastrophic and expressed her disappointment in the security apparatus for their reluctant response to the former Chief Justice’s calls for help after alerting them about two assassination attempts.
Senator Lawrence also condemned the Liberian senate’s inability to protect the lives of citizens who have entrusted them with their safety. She disclosed that the opposite of what the electorate elected them to do is on the upsurge, leaving many Liberians panicked over the years due to mysterious disappearances of auditors, including employees of the Liberia Revenue Authority and the auditor-general of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), Emmanuel Nyansweh, and Matthew Innis, an employee of the Central Bank of Liberia who was found dead in his vehicle at night.
Nimba County sanctioned-Senator, Prince Johnson, joined the many voices to condemn the attack against the former Chief Justice and recommended that CC cameras be provided at the homes of influential figures across the country to curtail the high rate of murderous attempts made earnestly on their lives and their families’.
Senator Johnson shared a harrowing experience of a similar attempt on his life, but he was fortunate enough to have swift security measures in place that detected an unknown person on his premises. Unfortunately, not everyone has been as lucky. The homicide cases of Princess Cooper, whose lifeless body was discovered at the ELWA junction in Fawaz building, and the three boys who allegedly accompanied the CEO of St. Moses funeral home and are still missing, have left citizens horrified. These cases, along with the recent attack on the residence of former Senator of Maryland and Chief Justice, Gloria Musu Scott, resulting in the tragic death of her daughter, have created a sense of fear and unease among the public.
The Liberian National Police (LNP) has announced a vigorous inquiry into the matter to bring the culprits of the recent attack to justice. This is in response to the alarming increase in ritualistic killings and homicidal attempts on the lives of influential figures, particularly politicians, as the October 2023 general elections approach.
It is imperative that the LNP takes swift and decisive action to ensure the safety and security of all citizens. The government must also take proactive measures to address the root causes of these heinous crimes and provide adequate resources to law enforcement agencies to combat them effectively. The people of Liberia deserve to live in a society where their safety and security are guaranteed, and it is the responsibility of the government to make this a reality.
