The newly appointed Solicitor General of Liberia, Cllr. Abraham Boimah Sillah Sr., has directed police officers not to charge cases or send them to court without the input and endorsement of a state prosecutor or city solicitor.
Cllr. Sillah issued the directive on Friday, September 18, during a special meeting with Montserrado County city solicitors, prosecutors’ monitors and other staff at his office in Monrovia.
According to the official meeting minutes, the Solicitor General said police and prosecutors must work together to ensure that cases are supported by evidence and handled in accordance with the law.
“No police officer should charge a case or send a case to court without the input and endorsement of the State Prosecutor / City Solicitor,” the minutes quoted him as saying.
The directive is intended to promote coordination between police investigators and prosecutors and prevent inconsistencies in the handling of cases.
Cllr. Sillah also called for teamwork among prosecutors, saying he could not work alone and needed the support and cooperation of every prosecutor.
He urged them to carry out their duties with honesty and integrity, emphasizing that prosecutions must be based on evidence and strictly follow the law.
“He wants us to do things differently — meaning we must prosecute people based on evidence and strictly in line with the law,” the meeting minutes stated.
The Solicitor General also reminded prosecutors of the important role magisterial courts play in providing access to justice for ordinary people.
He cautioned against mistreating those who appear before the courts, saying they should be given hope rather than victimized.
“The Magisterial Court is the place of last resort for the ordinary people,” the minutes quoted Sillah as saying. “We should not victimize those who come before us to seek justice, but rather we should give them hope.”
Assistant Minister for Litigation Cllr. Jerry D. K. Garlawolu also supported the position, according to the meeting summary.
Cllr. Sillah further said he would consider reports from prosecutors’ monitors useful to his administration.
Committee Established to Draft Rules for City Solicitors
During the meeting, Sillah established a committee to draft policies, rules and regulations governing city solicitors, consistent with the law.
Atty. Emmanuel Tan was appointed chairman, while Hon. Alex Hawkins S. Younge will serve as vice chairman.
The committee’s members are Atty. Alfred Bandiyo, Hon. Samuel S. Dahn, Atty. Kulee C. Varfley, Hon. Stephen J. Seebee, Atty. David F. Blamah, Atty. Marcus G. Richards, Atty. Augustine Maylu, Hon. A. Konah Mason, Hon. Nathaniel W. Norris, Hon. Sam K. Chezue, Hon. Claudius T. Sasay and Hon. Moses K. Amneh.
The committee has been given one week to submit its draft report.
Supervisory Positions Required at Magisterial Courts
Cllr. Sillah also directed that each magisterial court must have a supervisor and a deputy supervisor.
According to the minutes, the arrangement must be formally documented as a policy.
Those attending the meeting included Assistant Minister for Litigation Cllr. Jerry D. K. Garlawolu, Montserrado County Attorney Cllr. Richard Scott Jr., city solicitors, prosecutors’ monitors and other staff.
The meeting began at 1:00 p.m. and was adjourned after the discussions and committee appointments.
The official meeting summary was submitted by Hon. Garpue K. Wonlue, Acting Secretary General of the National Association of City Solicitors of Liberia and assigned City Solicitor at the West Point Magisterial Court, with a special assignment in Sanniquellie, Nimba County.
