House Agrees To Hear Impeachment Case Against Chief Justice

By Helroz Zorleh

The House of Representatives has accepted and sent to the Committees on Judiciary and Claims and Petition for the impeachment of the Chief Justice of the Republic of Liberia Jonnie N. Lewis

Magistrate Peter Gonsahn of Bensonville City had written the House of Representatives to have Justice Lewis impeached for corruption amongst other things.

In the letter Gonsahn alleged that Chief Justice Lewis ordered him and his Bailiff flogged months ago in Bensonville before being brought to Monrovia for imprisonment.

According to Gonsahn his colleague Milton D. Taylor was then the Magistrate at the Monrovia Magisterial Court was reluctant to jail him but was forced to do so. According to the letter, Gonsahn said he was charged with disorderly conduct by the court.

Magistrate Gonsahn letter said that the act of the Chief Justice violates page 63 of rules 33 and 34 of the Circuit Courts of Liberia as well as the Judicial Cannon, section 40 of page 25 and 16LLR P.118.

During an intense debate on Magistrate Gonsahn's letter at the House of Representatives yesterday, Bong County Representative George Mulbah, called on his colleagues to take serious Gonsahn's letter. He stated that the allegations made against the Chief Justice in the communication were grave and needed to be heard. Mulbah alleged the Chief Justice is in the habit of violating people's rights.

Representative George Mulbah: “We also heard that the Chief Justice is violating people's rights by illegally erecting speed brake on Public Street in front of his house.

Gonsahn has also accused the Chief Justice of placing his girl friend and relatives on the judicial payroll amongst others.

After a heated debate, Representative Rufus Neuville moved that Gonsahn's letter be sent to the Committees on Judiciary and Claims and Petition for study and subsequent submission to plenary, which was overwhelmingly accepted.