LIBERIA – The Supreme Court of Liberia has unanimously concurred with the House of Representatives on the amended Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission law, following a petition filed by embattled LACC’s Executive Chairman, Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin.
Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh reading the court’s opinion on Thursday, January 26, 2023, said that the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) being a creature of the Legislative Branch of Government, the Legislature has the unquestionable power to amend, modify or abolish the LACC as deemed expedient in the interest of the State; and its action cannot be said to violate the Constitution.
Adding, “WHEREFORE AND IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, the petitioner’s petition is denied. The Clerk of this Court is ordered to inform the parties in these proceedings of the decision of this Court. Costs are disallowed.” the Supreme Court mandated.
“However, should it become to terminate the services of the petitioner and others similarly situated before the expiration of their contractual rights, the sanctity of contract as enshrined in the Constitution should be given due consideration,” the Supreme Court narrated.
Chief Justice Yuoh noted that no public official has a vested right to a public office, except for those officers or offices that are clearly and expressly protected by the Constitution, which is not the case in the present petition.
It can be recalled that the LACC embattled Chairman Martin has been requesting the Supreme Court to declare sections 16.1 and 16.2 of the Act to Amend and Reinstate and the Act to Reestablish the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission unconstitutional for which the LACC Chairman through and his lawyers Cllr. Johnny Momo and Jimmy Bombo filed twenty-count petitions before the Justices of the Supreme Court; praying that the highest court grants their petition.
