The legal counsel of Mayor Jefferson Koijee, Cllr. Arthur Johnson, has announced a lawsuit against Cllr. Jerome Verdier, who recently accused the Mayor of being the mastermind behind the attack on the home of former Chief Justice, Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott. He at the same time displayed a US$5,000 bounty check, presented by Mayor Koijee, as additional reward to the Liberia National Police (LNP) US$5,000 reward for anyone who provides concrete information leading to the arrest of the culprit in the attack of Cllr. Scott’s home.
This follows days after the former Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Cllr. Verdier, linked the Monrovia City Mayor to an armed robbery attack on the home of former Chief Justice, Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott.
Cllr. Verdier alleged that Mayor Koijee orchestrated the attack on Cllr. Scott, which led to the death of Charloe Musu, who is believed to be the daughter of the former Chief Justice, and one injured at her Brewerville residence.
But addressing a news conference at his office in Monrovia during the weekend, Cllr. Arthur Johnson disclosed that the lawsuit will affect all of his client’s accusers, both at home and abroad, including Cllr. Verdier.
The legal luminary told journalists at his Monrovia office that the lawsuit, when filed against Cllr. Verdier and others, will require the accusers to prove, with substantial evidence, the link of the Monrovia City Mayor to the tragedy through a court of competent jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, the office of Mayor Jefferson Tamba Koijee, through his legal representation, Cllr. Arthur Johnson, has put up a bounty of US$5,000 (five thousand United States dollars) to be given to anyone who will provide concrete information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator(s) of the alleged armed robbery attack on the home of Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott.
While displaying the check to members of the press in his office during the press conference, Cllr. Johnson said the amount is in addition to the recent US$5,000 (five thousand United States dollars) bounty previously announced by the authorities of the Liberia National Police (LNP), through their Inspector General, Col. Patrick Sudue, during a major news conference.
Cllr. Johnson indicated that the legal team of Mayor Koijee does not necessarily have to control the bounty if the public so wishes, adding that the check can be turned over to the Ministry of Justice or the Liberia National Police (LNP) for transparency purpose.
He further indicated that anyone who will come forth with such information, his or her security and confidentiality will be highly guaranteed and protected.
Cllr. Johnson pointed out that Mayor Koijee did not put up a bounty in addition to what the LNP had announced to shield himself from the claims made against him by Cllr. Jerome Verdier; instead, the bounty is a demonstration of the Monrovia City Mayor’s support to the full investigation and ensuring that individual(s) involved in the act be brought to justice.
At the same time, Cllr. Arthur Johnson is calling on the Liberian government to conduct an independent autopsy on the body of the late Charloe Musu, admonishing the international community to develop interest in the matter and ensure that an autopsy is conducted to establish if the deceased was tempered with.
In furtherance, the legal luminary said the alleged refusal of the former Chief Justice to comply with police investigation is alarming and concerning to not only the legal team of Mayor Koijee but other Liberians and the international community.
He emphasized that it is key for Cllr. Scott to identify to police investigators the individuals she pepper-sprayed, adding that identifying them will speed up the on-going investigation.
Cllr. Johnson noted that, considering the former Chief Justice’s role in national government, including serving as Minister of Justice, Senator of Maryland County, among others, she knows what the consequences are if one fails to cooperate with the police during criminal investigation.