Mamba Point, Monrovia: The appointment of Dr. Cllr. Jallah Barbu, Dean of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, to the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court, WECC, continues to receive local and international applauds, with the latest coming from the United States Embassy near Monrovia.
In a statement issued on Monday, November 4, 2024, the US Embassy said it applauds the government of Liberia, particularly the Justice Ministry, for selecting Cllr. Jallah Barbu through what it calls an inclusive process.
The embassy stated that it stands ready to support Cllr. Barbu in ensuring that justice is served to the victims of Liberia’s fourteen-year brutal civil war. “We stand with the people of Liberia in establishing a court to bring justice for the victims of the gravest crimes committed during Liberia’s civil war”, the statement indicated.
At the inception of the Boakai-led administration, the US government intensified its campaign for the establishment of a war tribunal in Liberia to bring perpetrators of Liberia’s civil conflict to justice, but the appointment of Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi as Executive Director of the WECC then seems to have slowed the US’s move due to concerns about Cllr. Massaquoi’s alleged relations with people believed to have committed heinous atrocities during the civil war of Liberia. Following months of public pressure, Cllr. Massaquoi was removed and a search committee was established, which recommended Cllr. Jallah Barbu as the best candidate for the office of WECC, as communicated by the Executive Mansion.
Dr. Cllr. Jallah Barbu, a United States trained lawyer and current Dean of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law of the University of Liberia, was on November 1, 2024, appointed Executive Director of the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court by Liberia’s President, Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. The selection of the UL Law School Dean to head the WECC, according to a release from the Executive Mansion, was based on a recommendation from the Search Committee that was setup up by the Liberian leader. “The Committee identified Cllr. Barbu as the ideal candidate due to his extensive experience and qualifications”, the release added.
Cllr. Barbu is expected to, in consonance with the mandate of the Office and in collaboration and coordination with the international community, investigate, design, and prescribe the methodology, mechanism, and processes for the establishment of a Special War Crimes Court and a National Anti-Corruption Court for Liberia.
