LIBERIA – The African Youth Peer Review Committee has called on former Justice Minister Benedict Sannoh to stop undermining its case against the Bea Mountain mining company in Grand Cape Mount County.
The group in a release issued late Monday, October 10, 2022 evening noted that it has gathered that Cllr. Sannoh without the knowledge of residents of Jehkandor in Grand Cape Mount, created a “Power of Attorney” document that will allow each local head of the community to sign, giving him authority to take up the legal case on their behalf.
AYPRC said though the former Justice Minister is aware of its 10 million United States Dollars legal suit against the management of Bea Mountain, it is unfortunate for Cllr. Sannoh goes back to the same citizens for support to fight against the same opposition.
It can be recalled; the African Youth Peer Review Committee filed a 10 million dollar lawsuit against the management of Bea Mountain for damages created as a result of polluting water sources for rural communities operating in its operational areas.
The international youth group said in the coming days, it will file a legal appeal to the Supreme Court as relates to Bea Mountain’s flagrant disregard for human rights and international protocols on environmental protection.
Meanwhile, the international youth group is calling on former Justice Minister Benedict Sannoh to desist from wanting to undermine its case with Bea Mountain or risk unspecified action if he fails to yield to such warning.
The group release which was signed by its Executive Director Jeddlee Kinnii reveals that the former Justice Minister risk jeopardizing his legal career if he continues to create what he called “two-party complainants” in a case that is already being followed internationally, with lots of global interests attached.
“Cllr. Benedict Sannoh and others should know that this case is not just locally followed. Our international partners are watching closely how our judiciary dispenses Justice on this matter. And as a matter of fact, the citizens of Jekandor have already given us the Power of Attorney to file this case on their behalf which is justifiable enough.
If the former Justice Minister without the fear of God will go back to the same people, knowing very well our organization has already been legally empowered to carry out such a task, it beats my imagination how the learned counsel will be treading such an elusive path” the release quoted AYPRC Executive Director as saying.
According to the youth group, it is in the process of filing an appeal to the Supreme Court of Liberia after the circuit court in Grand Cape Mount County came down with a ruling that was extremely dissatisfactory, and in the interest of the management of Bea Mountain Mining Company.
The group revealed that in the next two weeks, a team of legal experts from Zimbabwe will arrive in Liberia to review its legal papers which will be used as testimonials against the management of Bea Mountain mining company.
