– Prominent women’s NGOs seek further Justice After Acquittal
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – There remains an unanswered question that scores of prominent women of Liberia, relatives, and well-wishers are concerned about after the acquittal of former Chief Justice Gloria Musu-Scott and three of her family members who were previously linked to the mysterious murder of Charloe Musu, the niece of former Justice Scott. The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) and the Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) have indicated that the fight for justice must continue, particularly for Charloe Musu.
The Supreme Court of Liberia on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, overturned previous rulings in former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott’s and relatives’ murder case and ordered their immediate release. Delivering the verdict, Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh keeled over the life sentence imposed by Criminal Court C Judge Roosevelt Willie on former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott and her relatives. She said there was insufficient evidence to tie Justice Scott and her three relatives to the crime.
In an interaction with this paper on Thursday, August 29, 2024, the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) Vice President Cllr. Bowoulo Taylor Kelley, expressed the organization’s position on the ruling, stating, “As an institution, we believe that the judgment of acquittal handed down by the Supreme Court was in the interest of Justice, as the State was unable to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt which is cardinal in any criminal justice process or trial,” Cllr. Kelley stated.
She emphasized the urgent need for accountability, noting that the individual responsible for Charloe Musu’s murder remains at large. “As a consequence of the aforesaid, it is essential to note that the killer of Charloe Musu is still at large and needs to be brought to justice. The crime of murder was committed, and whoever is responsible needs to be held accountable. Hence, the state must ensure that this is done in accordance with the law and human rights standard.”
Like AFELL and several other Liberians, the Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), a non-governmental organization in Liberia acknowledged the Supreme Court’s ruling that acquitted former Chief Justice Gloria Maya Musu-Scott and three of her family members, who were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder by Criminal Court “A” on January 9, 2024, but stressed that justice must also be served for Charloe Musu.
“As we acknowledge the acquittal, we must not forget Charloe Musu—the young life lost. We call for renewed efforts to seek justice on her behalf: We urge the Ministry of Justice to address resource gaps and ensure transparency in our legal processes,” the CSO release states.
It further emphasizes: “We must prioritize prompt trials, especially for vulnerable victims. Prosecutors must lay down cases supported by evidence. Justice cannot be compromised. Our Constitution, the UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and the Maputo Protocol guarantee the right to life for all individuals.”
The case, which has garnered national attention, has reopened wounds for many who were affected by the initial wrongful accusations and the subsequent trial that lacked substantial evidence. WONGOSOL asserts that the focus must now shift towards identifying the true perpetrator(s) of Charloe Musu’s murder, advocating for a comprehensive reinvestigation that employs advanced criminal investigation techniques.
The organization calls on law enforcement agencies, legal professionals, and all relevant authorities to commit to a thorough investigation that prioritizes truth and justice for Charloe Musu and her grieving family. WONGOSOL also highlights the need for systemic reforms within Liberia’s criminal justice system to prevent future injustices, including enhanced training for law enforcement on conducting fair and unbiased inquiries.
Moreover, WONGOSOL emphasizes the importance of providing support and resources to victims’ families who often face emotional and financial challenges while navigating the complexities of the justice system. Ensuring that these families have access to necessary support can help create a more equitable legal landscape.
Gaps in the Prosecution System
Even though it regards the Court’s decision, the women’s group says it cannot ignore the gaps in Liberia’s prosecution system. “While we respect the court’s decision, we cannot ignore the gaps in our prosecution system that this case has exposed including delays and psychological toll, resource constraints, impunity, and trust deficit among others.” WONGOSOL expressed deep concern over the investigation conducted by the Liberia National Police (LNP) in relation to Charloe Musu’s death. “The process has been marked by ambiguity and still has a dark cloud covering it,” it states.
Moreover, WONGOSOL believes that the court delay negatively reflected on the former Chief Justice. “The court delays took a heavy psychological toll on the victim’s family and the accused alike. The stress of year-long waits for justice often leads to abandonment of claims. For murder victims, prompt justice is crucial, yet this urgency seemed to have been lost in this case. Our courts struggle with resource limitations, leading to inefficiencies.”
It continues: “Passing costs to users and lengthy proceedings hinder timely justice. Weak legal enforcement mechanisms contribute to impunity. Citizens’ trust in government institutions wanes when corruption and nepotism go unpunished.”
Moving Forward
While the legal system has spoken, WONGOSOL says collective responsibility remains. “In March 2023, Liberian women, under one banner, presented a petition to the Legislature, demanding transparency, accountability, and justice for Charloe Musu. We reiterate that call today.”
The institution believes that the burden still rests on the Government of Liberia to bring the right perpetrator to face justice. “Let her memory inspire us to strengthen our legal institutions, protect our citizens, and uphold the rule of law. Let us honor Charloe Musu’s memory by advocating for a stronger, more just Liberia—one where every life matters, regardless of privilege or position.”
After her release from prison, Justice Scott called for an enormous effort to tackle injustice in Liberia. Her words, “I want to thank the lawyers and the civil society organizations for their support. However, there is still a great deal of injustice in this country. If they could do this to me, what about the young man from Bokonjehlay? What about someone in Sinoe, Karloken, or Lofa? I celebrate today, and my family celebrates, but the work is far from over. Many innocent people remain in jail.”
The Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) is a non-governmental, non-discriminatory, and secular women-based organization established in 1998 to coordinate the activities of over 250 women-led organizations across Liberia’s 15 political subdivisions. Our mission is to empower women and girls, strengthen network members, and promote the freedom and human rights of women, girls, and other marginalized groups.
On the other hand, the Association of Female Lawyers (AFELL) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization duly incorporated under the laws of Liberia of the Republic of Liberia on February 24, 1994, with accreditation from the Ministry of Planning. It is a direct response to enduring advocacy for the rights and promotion of the advancement of women, children, and indigent persons.
