By: Staff Writer
The President of the Midwest Chapter of the Association of Liberian journalists in Americas Success Abu Minor has warned Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman over selective Justice.
Making reference to the alleged rape allegation involving suspended Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Bryant Mcgill, Mr. Minor emphasized that selective justice destroys fairness, breeds corruption, destabilizes societies, and hinders economic and democratic progress and should be discouraged to the core.
Mr. Minor’s latest statement came following the immediate arrest of Sando Kromah , a contractor at the Ministry of Agriculture linked to similar act of rape.
The Police argued that unlike Deputy Minister Bryant Mcgill’s situation, there was evidence available to swiftly arrest Sando in connection to the crime.
However, the LNP stressed that the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports case requires further investigation to establish probable cause linking him to rape, even though the law has a strict mandate on those accused of rape something Mr. Minor noted is a clear act of selective justice demonstrated by the police headed by Inspector General Gregory Coleman that needs to be discouraged to the core.
“Inspector General Gregory Coleman,
Don’t allow anyone in that country to mortgage you or the future of your children, The law applies equally to all, it is blind and does not recognize whether one is a UPist or a CDCian”, he re-emphasized.
According to him, when laws are applied unevenly or only to certain individuals, groups, or political opponents, the end results can lead to a deep and damaging consequences for any country.
Highlighting further on some for the end results or negative effects in said regard, Mr. Minor named, Erosion of Rule of Law, where
the principle of equality before the law is undermined.
Additionally, he pointed out that it can also lead to citizens lack faith that justice is impartial, weakening legal and democratic institutions.
He also named the Loss of Public Trust, where the people begin to see courts, police, and government as tools of oppression rather than protectors of rights, something he described as dangerous for any society.
The founder of the Success Minor Foundation also indicated that when there is evidence of selective justice in a Country, Trust in governance declines, creating widespread cynicism and disengagement, this he said is already breeding amongst the people especially members of the opposition bloc who now see themselves as alleged victims of current circumstances.
He also fears in such a situation that Entrenchment of Corruption where powerful individuals and groups act with impunity, knowing they won’t be held accountable.
“Corruption spreads, as ordinary people realize that connections and influence matter more than truth or fairness”, he added.
Moreover, he warned that Social and Political Instability maybe the order of the day if selective justice issues are not handled as the marginalized groups may feel targeted, leading to resentment, protests, or even violence and political opposition may be suppressed, fueling polarization and weakening democracy.
Speaking further he also mentioned Economic Consequences which is worrisome, where investors and businesses lose confidence in a system where contracts, property rights, and disputes are not settled fairly and such reduces foreign investment and slows down sustainable economic growth.
” Human Rights Violations, Selective justice often leads to the persecution of journalists, activists, or minorities, It silences dissent and creates a climate of fear”, he added.
At the same time, he named the Weakening of National Unity, where the citizens feel divided as some see themselves as protected by the system while others excluded or victimized, this he emphasized undermines cohesion and the sense of belonging to one nation.
The Liberian journalist and activist used the ocassion to encourage the Inspector General and all judicial actors of Liberia to always dispense justice with fairness and as applied on the books of law void of political influences, positions and or status within the society in order to build a transparent, accountable and just society for all.
“The laws are on the books for all and let it be fully implemented to the core “, he re-emphasized.
According to him, The President has repeatedly stated that the law is the law, arguing that when the law is the law void of segregation or selectivism, let it be the law and implemented in all cases regardless of who is involved.
Mr. Minor also cautioned the government not do no business as usual as disclosed by President Boakai during his inaugural speech.
Success even though hailed President Boakai for his decision to suspend the accused Deputy Minister linked to rape, Mcgill while the investigation is still ongoing but was quick to reechoed that more still needs to be done as the current delay and silence of the case may lead to justice delay , justice denid situation.
Mranwhile, He also reemphasized the need for a speedy investigation into the case in order to bring the matter to its logical conclusion and to ensure that justice is served impartially despite whose involved.
