– Cllr. Kabinet Ja’net to stage a public demonstration against state Security Amidst House’s Saga
Monrovia, Liberia –In a startling revelation, Cllr. Kabineh M. Ja’neh, a distinguished lawyer and former Minister of Justice, has brought to light a grave instance of lawlessness and human rights violations under the Boakai Administration. The case involves Mr. Khalifa Charif (Sheriff), a Liberian national whose illegal arrest, detention, and subsequent disappearance have raised serious concerns about the rule of law in Liberia.
Mr. Charif, born in Crown Hill, Monrovia, to Mandingo Liberian parents, has roots deeply embedded in the Liberian community. His grandfather, Imaam Alhaji Mata-Saykou Sheriff, was a revered religious figure whose funeral in Monrovia was attended by President William V. S. Tubman, reflecting the high esteem in which he was held.
Despite Mr. Charif spending part of his childhood in Guinea due to the Liberian civil conflict, Cllr. Ja’neh vehemently denies allegations by state security officials that Mr. Charif is a Guinean national. This misinformation has been used to justify a series of unlawful actions against him.
More than six weeks ago, Mr. Charif’s residence was raided by a joint team of Liberia National Police and National Security Agency (NSA) officers without a warrant. During this raid, Mr. Charif was arrested, and his money and two vehicles were seized. Despite court orders, the officers have refused to return the confiscated items or present them in court.
The situation escalated dramatically in the early hours of Sunday, November 3, 2024. The Police Inspector General, leading a team of security officers, forcibly entered the Monrovia Central Prison, brutally removed Mr. Charif, and handed him over to the Guinean Military Junta without any court authorization. This act has been described by Clr. Ja’neh is a blatant case of kidnapping, a felony crime.
According to a recent report, the Guinean authorities had requested the Liberian government to extradite Mr. Charif to face criminal charges of complicity in a plot to overthrow the Junta government in Guinea. This request adds another layer to the already convoluted situation surrounding Mr. Charif’s illegal arrest, detention, and subsequent disappearance.
Despite the extradition request, how Mr. Charif was removed from the Monrovia Central Prison—without court authorization and in direct violation of legal processes—remains highly controversial. Clr. Kabineh M. Ja’neh continues to denounce these actions as blatant kidnapping and a severe breach of human rights and the rule of law.
The involvement of senior National Security officials in orchestrating Mr. Charif’s removal and the refusal to comply with court orders for his release reflects a troubling disregard for judicial authority. Furthermore, the discrepancy in the accounting of confiscated money and valuables adds to the concerns about corruption and mishandling within the state’s security apparatus.
As the court prepares to hear the arguments on the Bill of Information filed by Mr. Charif’s lawyers, the public and international observers will be closely watching how the Liberian judiciary addresses this grave instance of lawlessness. The fight for Mr. Charif’s justice and the broader implications for human rights and governance in Liberia continue to be a significant point of contention and concern.
Former Minister of Justice Clr. Ja’neh has accused senior National Security officials of the Boakai Administration of orchestrating this illegal removal, showcasing a total disregard for legal processes and court orders. Mr. Charif’s disappearance from the Monrovia Central Prison, where he was under the custody of Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice, underscores the severity of the situation. Despite the prosecution’s request to drop all criminal charges against Mr. Charif, the Ministry of Justice has defied multiple court orders for his release.
Adding to the complexity of the case, substantial sums of money and valuable items seized from Mr. Charif have not been accounted for properly. Initial reports state that US$177,800, two vehicles, and 150,000 Guinean Francs (approximately $15 USD) were confiscated, but only US$2,300 has been officially reported by the NSA.
Clr. Ja’neh has pledged to continue public demonstrations against the National Security officers until the court’s orders are fully complied with and Mr. Charif’s release is secured. The illegal actions taken by state security, including the alleged execution of Mr. Charif after his handover to Guinean authorities, have provoked outrage and fear among the public.
Pundits believe that Clr. Ja’neh’s open declaration of a public demonstration against state security carries serious national implications, especially given the recent demonstration staged by friends and relatives of Mr. Charif. Observers have expressed concerns about the situation taking on a tribal dimension, as the Mandingo ethnic group may be more readily mobilized into action.
Complicating matters further, this unrest coincides with the visit of a high-power ECOWAS delegation, which aims to mediate an ongoing saga in the House of Representatives. The legislative body is deeply divided, with 43 members seeking to remove Speaker Fonati Koffa against 30 members opposing the move. This political standoff has persisted for weeks with no resolution in sight.
As Clr. Ja’neh and his fellow counsels continue their fight for justice, the case of Mr. Khalifa Charif stands as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for human rights and the rule of law in Liberia. The potential for tribal unrest and the current political instability only heighten the urgency for a swift and just resolution.
