Protesters opposing the ongoing impeachment trial of Associate Justice Kabineh M. Ja’neh have stormed the Capitol, demanding the trial to be abolished.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFFL) and the “Coalition of Islamic Organizations in Liberia” stormed the entrance of the Capitol Thursday, 28 February amid heavy joint security deployment.
Justice Ja’neh is standing impeachment trial at the Liberian Senate for alleged proved misconduct, abuse of public office, wanton abuse of judicial discretion, frauds, misuse of power and corruption.
His lawyers say the Legislature violated constitutional requirements in the processes leading to Justice Ja’neh’s impeachment, but the counsels have unsuccessfully requested the dismissal of the trial.
One of the cases which triggered his impeachment trial relates to a land dispute involving the embattled justice and a private citizen, one Madam Annie Yancy Constance.
Ja’neh has been accused by lawmakers for abuse of power, using his influence as Associate Justice to secure a ruling in his favor at the Supreme Court to take possession of the land.
But Ja’neh’s lawyers have repeatedly maintained that the claim that their client allegedly manipulated the Supreme Court to rule in his favor in the property case questions the credibility of Chief Justice Korkpor who serves as the head of the Supreme Court and also signed the very ruling that is one of the counts against the Associate Justice.
Chief Justice Korkpor is the presiding officer in the impeachment trial of Justice Ja’neh.
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The protesters called on the Liberian Senate to put stop to the ongoing impeachment of Justice Ja’neh.
According to the protesters, the impeachment trial is unconstitutional and allegedly politically motivated by the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) – led government.
The protesters suspect that the CDC – led government has different motive that allegedly prompted the impeachment of Justice Ja’neh.
They stress the need to protect and respect the rule of law, lamenting that the law has been violated.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Gbarpolu County Sen. Armah Jallah thanked the protesters for being peaceful.
He promises to present the full petition to plenary for legislative action. Sen. Jallah assures that the Senate will act accordingly.
By Ethel A. Tweh –Edited by Winston W. Parley
