Monrovia, Liberia – In a move that has ignited widespread controversy and accusations of unequal justice, President Joseph Boakai of Liberia has reportedly intervened to secure the release of former Chief Justice Gloria Musu-Scott, who, along with three family members, was recently found guilty of murdering her niece, Charloe Musu. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from the public and legal minds, raising questions about the integrity of Liberia’s justice system under Boakai’s administration.
Gloria Musu-Scott, a prominent supporter of President Boakai and his governing Unity Party (UP), was convicted by a competent court for her role in the tragic death of her niece. The case, which captivated the nation, culminated in a verdict that many believed would serve as a testament to the impartiality and fairness of Liberia’s judiciary. However, reports surfaced last week that President Boakai requested the compassionate release of Cllr. Musu-Scott from prison, disregarding the gravity of the crime and the anguish of Charloe Musu’s family.
Compassionate release allows inmates to be granted immediate early release due to extraordinary or compelling circumstances that were not foreseeable at the time of sentencing. Also known as medical release, medical parole, medical furlough, or humanitarian parole, these procedures can be initiated by the courts or internal corrections authorities. Unlike regular parole, compassionate release is not based on a prisoner’s behavior or sentence but rather on significant medical or humanitarian changes in their situation.
The government’s response to these allegations was swift yet controversial. In an unusual move, Daniel O. Sando, Deputy Minister for Technical Services at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, issued an apology to Musu-Scott for the “psychological distress” caused by the media reports. This apology was delivered during a rare press conference held within the confines of the Monrovia Central Prison, where Musu-Scott is currently detained.
“On behalf of the government, we sincerely apologize for whatever level of psychological damage this fake news being reported in the media may have caused you and other relatives who are here at the Monrovia Central Prison,” Sando stated, downplaying the severity of the accusations and implying that the reports were unfounded.
In response, Musu-Scott expressed her continued belief in her innocence and condemned the treatment she has received. “This is a continuation of the cruel and inhumane treatment. We take note. We are hoping that the government is interested in continuing this investigation. Since we were sentenced, a lot of information has been coming up that confirms what we have been saying all along—that we are innocent. And this particular entry, intrusion into my premises, proves also that we are innocent,” she declared, suggesting that new evidence might exonerate her.
In a letter dated June 11, 2024, Kwaidah requested US$226 to provide an escort for Justice Musu-Scott during her visit. “We present our compliments and request your indulgence and approval for funds for an escort team of Correction and LNP officers to undertake the compassionate leave requested by inmate Gloria Musu Scott to visit her home to conduct an appropriate inventory of losses and damage done by intruders. In view of the above, we request your approval of Two Hundred Twenty-six United States Dollars (USD 226.00) to carry on the exercise.”
She said that in February, her home in Virginia was burglarized, and the police had issued a “faulty” charge on the suspects that would be quashed by any judge—a clever attempt to set the criminals free. She said that without consulting any family members, the police estimated the value of the stolen items at US$4,000. As a result, she wanted to visit her home to conduct an inventory that would lead to filing a proper lawsuit. She said the court found them guilty based on the police’s report that there were no signs of a break-in at the house. Since the alleged criminals entered her house using keys, she noted that the police’s argument that led to their conviction has been defeated.
“The police had said there was nobody in the house because the house was locked. So, we have to be the murderers. So, that theory of the police is lost. And the fact that they had keys, and some of us who are the defendants heard this person or these persons asking this girl for keys, asking Charloe for keys, as she was being stabbed.”
She added, “Now, these people had keys. And we wrote the minister and said, ‘Look, the whole scenario is set so that these people who entered my premises can get away with what they have been doing. And the way the rate is written, clearly anyone can quash that rate and that will be the end of the whole thing. And the fact that these people had keys, it’s critical. It needed deeper investigation.’”
Justice Musu Scott, 70, along with three female relatives, was sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of her niece, Charloe Musu. The conviction was delivered by Judge Roosevelt Willie of Criminal Court A, following a jury’s decision which found Musu-Scott guilty of orchestrating the intentional and malicious infliction of severe bodily injuries on her 29-year-old niece last June. The victim sustained wounds to her chest, right hand, left thigh, and left armpit, inflicted with a sharp instrument believed to be a knife.
During the trial, Musu-Scott maintained her innocence, claiming that Charloe Musu was killed by an unknown assailant who entered her home in Virginia, the outskirt of the capital, Monrovia. The arrest, trial, and sentence marked the fall from grace of one of Liberia’s most famous judges and politicians, who prided herself as a champion of women’s rights.
However, Musu Scott’s legal team, led by Cllr. Augustine Fayiah, has filed an appeal to the Supreme Court, hoping to overturn the ruling on appeal.
Critics argue that President Boakai’s alleged intervention is a blatant misuse of power, reflecting favoritism and undermining the rule of law. They contend that such actions compromise the judiciary’s independence and erode public trust in the legal system. The families of victims, including Charloe Musu’s relatives, have expressed outrage, feeling that justice is being subverted for political convenience.
The opposition and various civil society organizations have demanded a thorough investigation into the president’s alleged request and called for the judiciary to operate free from political influence. They emphasize that equal justice must prevail regardless of an individual’s political affiliations or connections.
This episode has thrown the Boakai administration into a maelstrom of criticism, with calls for transparency and accountability growing louder. The implications of this controversy extend beyond the immediate case, potentially affecting Liberia’s democratic institutions and public confidence in their leaders.
As the situation unfolds, the nation watches closely, hoping that truth and justice will ultimately prevail. The handling of Gloria Musu-Scott’s case will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on President Boakai’s legacy and the credibility of Liberia’s justice system.
