The plenary of the House of Representatives has held in contempt and sent to jail a female, Makanvee Sheriff, and her relative, Mohammed Sheriff, for assaulting Grand Kru County’s district #1 Representative, Nathaniel N. Bahway, while en route to session.
The ground of the Capitol Building was a scene of attraction on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, when a lady, identified as Makanvee Sheriff, attacked and assaulted Grand Kru County’s district #1 Representative, Nathaniel N. Bahway, for allegedly hitting her car at Vai Town.
Sheriff, who was accompanied by three others believed to be her relatives, entered the ground of the Capitol Building to attack Representative Bahway, claiming that the lawmaker hit their vehicle at Vai Town while on his way to attend session at the Capitol Building.
Eyewitnesses said Sheriff led her relatives to the Capitol, throwing insults at the lawmaker and, at the same time, recording the scene with her cell phone.
According to eyewitnesses, Representative Bahway instructed his security to show restraint as he walked to session. Sheriff was seen holding Representative Bahway by his coat, but the lawmaker was later rescued by onlookers and security personnel.
Sheriff is believed to have just returned from London, England, where the rule of law is respected.
Representative Bahway later wrote plenary, complaining of the gross disrespect Sheriff meted against him.
Discussing the issue in plenary, lawmakers condemned the act exhibited by Sheriff, and warned that females should not be involved with violence, especially the older women who are supposed to serve as role models for the younger generation.
Deliberating in plenary, Sheriff, along with one of her relatives, Mohammed Sheriff, apologized to the Grand Kru County district #1 lawmaker, pleaded for forgiveness and promised not to repeat the act.
However, a motion was made by Montserrado County’s district #16 Representative, Dixon W. Seboe, that Sheriff and her brother be sent to Monrovia Central Prison for not less the fifteen (15) days.
Upon plenary granting the motion, Makanvee Sheriff immediately fainted, and was rushed to the John F. Kennedy Hospital for medical attention. The plenary however upheld its decision for Makanvee to serve a 15-day jail sentence after her medical attention. Her relative, Mohammed, has already been sent to the Monrovia Central Prison to serve his sentence.
Article 44 of the 1986 constitution states, “Contempt of the Legislature shall consist of actions which obstruct the legislative functions or which obstruct or impede members of the officers of the Legislature in the discharge of their legislative duties and may be punished by the House concerned by reasonable after a hearing consistent of due process of the law. No sanction shall extend beyond the session of the Legislature wherein it is imposed, any sanction imposed shall conform to the provisions on fundamental rights laid down in the constitution. Disputes between legislators and non- members which are properly cognizable in the court shall not be entertained or heard in the Legislature.”