MONROVIA, LIBERIA-Justice in Chambers, Joseph Nagbe, has ordered that documents under the signature of Cllr. Wilkins Wright be removed from the records of the Supreme Court of Liberia.
This followed legal arguments into the Writ of Prohibition filed by the Movement for Progressive Change (MPC) against the Certification of Brownie Samukai, as Senator of Lofa County.
Justice Nagbe said:” Cllr. Wright has created a conflict of interest when he represented the National Elections Commission (NEC), and then Brownie Samukai at the Supreme Court.”
After Justice Nagbe’s ruling, NEC Legal Team took an exception and announced an appeal to the Full Bench, but later withdrew and pleaded with Justice Nagbe to give Forty-Eight-hours to their response.
ELBC Judicial Reporter said the appeal was granted by Justice Nagbe, who told the parties that he will issue an assignment, following receipt of copies of their briefs.
It can be recalled that the MPC filed a Writ of Prohibition to stop the certification of Mr. Samukai, on grounds that he has been convicted of misusing the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) pension money.
Meanwhile, another petition has surfaced before the Supreme Court seeking, to prevent the NEC from certificating Lofa County Senator-elect Brownie Samukai.
The Supreme Court on Monday, March 29, 2021, confirmed to ELBC that the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice, has filed a 19-count application for Writ of Prohibition consistent with Chapter 16, Section 16.21 of the Civil Procedure Law of Liberia.
The Ministry of Justice’ application is similar to that of the MPC’s legal request that is seeking to deny Mr. Samukai’s certification, following his conviction by the Supreme Court.
Solicitor General Cllr. Syrenius Cephus maintained that the Executive is responsible for the enforcement of all laws, noting that Mr. Samukai was convicted for criminality and therefore cannot occupy the position in question, as provided by Chapter 30, Section 50.12 of the New Penal Law of Liberia.
