By Jamesetta D. Williams
MONROVIA–The Government of Liberia has reaffirmed its commitment to combating illicit drugs and organized crime, while assuring the public that recent arrests and prosecutions will be handled in accordance with the law.
The assurance was contained in a briefing by Ministry of Information official Daniel O. Sando Thursday in Monrovia, where he recapped President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s national address and provided updates on several government activities.
Sando said President Boakai, in his address to the nation on Wednesday, emphasized the government’s determination to fight illicit drugs and organized crime and uphold the rule of law.
According to Sando, the President also reaffirmed his commitment to protecting and defending the Constitution of Liberia and assured citizens that justice would be pursued fairly and independently.
He said the President stressed that no one is above the law, while also emphasizing that every person accused of a crime is entitled to due process and a fair trial.
Sando said President Boakai specifically addressed concerns surrounding the recent arrest of former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor.
He said the President assured the public that the former Vice President is being treated in accordance with Liberian law and remains presumed innocent as the legal process continues.
According to Sando, President Boakai reminded citizens that guilt or innocence must ultimately be determined by the courts and not through political pressure or public opinion.
The President also cautioned against the spread of misinformation and what the government described as irresponsible allegations against individuals involved in efforts to combat illicit drugs.
Sando said the President called on citizens to support the fight by reporting unlawful activities through appropriate channels and urged public commentators to exercise responsibility in their public statements.
He said the President warned against statements capable of inciting violence or spreading fear and division in society.
According to Sando, President Boakai made clear that the fight against illicit drugs and organized crime is not simply a law enforcement matter but a national security and moral imperative.
He said the campaign is focused on criminal conduct and is not intended to target any individual or political movement.
Sando said the President ultimately reassured the public that his administration remains focused on fairness, accountability and peace while pursuing the fight against illicit drugs.
The Ministry of Information also provided an update on proceedings before the Supreme Court of Liberia.
Sando said the Supreme Court is expected to deliver judgments in several high-profile cases involving current and former government officials and institutions.
He said the cases include matters involving officials and entities associated with the Forestry Development Authority, Ministry of Mines and Energy and the National Housing Authority, among others.
Sando said the Court is expected to issue judgments in a number of cases as it continues its proceedings.
He also disclosed that the Supreme Court is expected to hear a petition for a writ of prohibition filed by defense lawyers challenging a lower court decision.
According to Sando, the defense is challenging a decision involving the release of an accused person and the subsequent handling of a judicial panel, arguing that the decision was unlawful and prejudicial to the rights of the defense.
He said the Supreme Court is expected to deliver judgments in 55 cases over the next two days as part of efforts to address its substantial caseload.
Meanwhile, the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) is hosting a delegation from Sierra Leone’s electricity distribution and supply authority as part of a regional knowledge-sharing initiative.
Sando said the engagement is focused on loss reduction, revenue maximization, revenue protection and improved utility operations.
The Sierra Leonean delegation, which includes senior leadership of the authority, arrived in Liberia on August 27 and will remain in the country until August 30.
He said the visit will provide an opportunity for the delegation to learn from LEC’s experiences, strategies and ongoing initiatives aimed at reducing commercial and technical losses and improving revenue performance.
During the engagement, LEC department heads and technical teams are expected to make presentations and hold sessions with the delegation on key areas, including loss reduction, revenue protection, electricity theft, customer compliance, governance and institutional performance.
The delegation will also visit major electricity generation and operational facilities, including the LEC Terminal Generation Facility, the 20-megawatt solar farm and the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant in Harrisburg.
Sando said the visits will allow the delegation to observe Liberia’s electricity generation infrastructure and gain practical insight into how different energy sources are being integrated into the national electricity system.
He said the engagement also provides an opportunity for regional cooperation and knowledge exchange between Liberia and Sierra Leone as both countries seek practical solutions to challenges facing electricity distribution companies in them.
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