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Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge Claims Threats Amid HOR Case Hearing

Monrovia, Liberia – Judge George Smith of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court has reported receiving threats to his life after summoning Majority Bloc Speaker Richard N. Koon in connection with a high-profile legal matter. During a court hearing, Judge Smith disclosed that he had been alerted by his wife and others about warnings to burn down his residence and harm him if the case continued.

The judge described the threats as an attack on the judiciary, asserting that such actions undermine the rule of law. Speaking firmly on the matter, Judge Smith emphasized that judges must endure the challenges that come with their role, stating that the honor and prestige of the position also carry inherent burdens.

The case stems from a declaratory judgment and a motion to dismiss, both filed amidst escalating tensions surrounding the Capitol saga. Lawyers representing embattled Speaker Richard Koffa have highlighted the seriousness of the threats, alleging that they were made during public gatherings and broadcast on radio programs. According to them, calls for the judge’s impeachment were also voiced in these settings.

In a move to safeguard judicial independence, Koffa’s legal team requested the court to investigate the alleged threats. They argued that such an inquiry was essential to uphold the integrity of the judiciary, which is shielded from intimidation and interference under Liberia’s Constitution.

While the court was urged to assess the threats before advancing the case, lawyers for Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Koon rejected the allegations. They argued that no evidence had been presented to substantiate claims of intimidation against the judge. The defense maintained that the proceedings should not be delayed based on what they described as speculative and unfounded accusations.

Koon’s lawyers further stressed that their clients had full confidence in resolving the matter through legal channels. They asserted that their engagement with legal counsel demonstrated their willingness to follow due process, even as they dismissed the declaratory judgment as lacking merit.

Amid the dispute, Judge Smith reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the legal issues fairly and impartially. He called for calm and underscored the importance of protecting the judiciary from external pressures, which he said threaten the principles of justice and equality before the law.

G. Watson Richards
G. Watson Richards
G. Watson Richards is an investigative journalist with long years of experience in judicial reporting. He is a trained fact-checker who is poised to obtain a Bachelor’s degree from the United Methodist University (UMU)

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