By Thomas Domah, Nimba County
Police in Sanniquellie, Nimba County are investigating several jurors assigned at the Eight Judiciary Circuit Court for allegedly receiving bribes.
The Jurors were turned over to the police recently for allegedly receiving bribes and ruling in favor of Pastor Fred Suah.
Few years ago, a group of United Methodist Church families took issues up with Pastor Fred Suah for allegedly taking control of huge properties (lands) from a group of church missionaries.
The Eight Judiciary Circuit Court in Sanniquellie was scheduled to have brought down final ruling in the case on Monday, January 15, 2024, in a long-standing land dispute between Pastor Suah and the United Methodist Church families, but was aborted after a lawyer representing the Church rejected the jurors’ report that the case was in favor of Pastor Fred Suah.
Following a review of the jurors’ report in which they referred to Pastor Suah as owner of several parcels of land that allegedly belong to the Methodist Church families, lawyers representing the Church raised issues with the Court, which caused the Resident Judge to order the Liberia National police to arrest those jurors for investigation.
The Eight Judiciary Circuit Court Jurors’ investigation by the Police is expected to come out shortly, as the judge has stopped the case.
The NEW DAWN learned that this is the first incident for jurors to be arrested by Police for allegedly taking bribes.
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Former Public Defender for Nimba County, now Judge for the Debt Court at the Eight Judiciary Circuit Court in Sanniquellie, Robertson Mehn, said years back, jurors’ selection was done by the court to avoid such activity.
He said Jurors should be well equipped and prepared educationally before they can be selected but nowadays, even high school graduates, some of whom don’t know their left from their right, are being vetted to play such a critical role in court.
“Jurors should be well educated people, including nurses, doctors, social workers, and teachers, among others, not just a high school graduate”, he underscored.
Few days ago, Jurors assigned at the Eight Judiciary Circuit Court brought down a ruling in favor of Pastor Fred Suah, who they claimed is the legitimate owner of the lands in question, but the ruling was rejected by lawyers representing the Methodist Church, a situation that has landed them in hot water.
Some Nimbaians who spoke to the NEW DAWN, expressed disappointment and frustrations that most young people referred to as jurors are people who are not knowledgeable of the law and their only aim for taking up the role is money, rather than telling the truth.
Meanwhile, Stephen Nya Quoi, head of the Nimba County City Solicitor said the Police are currently investigating the matter. Editing by Jonathan Browne
