Court Places Halt on Implementation of Certain Provisions of LACC Act
The Supreme Court of Liberia has issued a writ restraining the Ministry of Justice movement in the implementation of sections 16.1 and 16.2 of the new LACC Act.
In a writ through the Clerk of Court, Sam Mamulu urged the respondents to file their returns before the Supreme Court on or before 10 November 2022.
The writ has technically placed a restraining order on the Executive branch from taking action to replace the current Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-corruption Commission Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin.
Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin recently petitioned the Country’s highest court- challenging critical provisions of the recently passed amended and re-stated act of the LACC.
He argued that provisions of the new act are discriminatory and totally against the 1986 constitution of Liberia and therefore should not be allowed to stand.
Petitioner Martin said sections 16.1 and 16.2 of the new LACC Act passed by the Legislature in July 2022 was a clear and flagrant violation of the principles and doctrine of expo facto law as enshrined in article 21 of the 1986 constitution of the Republic of Liberia.
He said the law passed by the legislature on July 22, 2022, can not affect him as he was nominated, confirmed, and appointed by the president for five years before the passage of the law and therefore the law is expo facto.
Martin told the Supreme Court that the decision by the Legislature to pass such an act meant that they were taking on to themselves the power of dismissing him which is legally the responsibility of the President.
The Country’s Anti-Corruption Chief said he can only be removed for gross breach of duty, misconduct in office, or any proven act of corruption as enshrined in article 6.8 of the 2008 act creating the LACC.
