By Bill W. Cooper
Former Associate Justice, Kabineh Ja’neh over the weekend received a tumultuous welcome from thousands of Liberians believed to be his supporters and admirers upon his return to the country from Abuja, Nigeria through the Roberts International Airport (RIA) in Margibi County.
Former associate Justice Ja’neh returned into the country came days after his victory over the Liberian government to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice in Nigeria for the violation of his human right during his impeachment process.
Former Associate Justice Ja’neh who arrived around 4:30 P.M. on Saturday, November 21, broke in tears due to the huge turnout by several Liberians predominantly Muslims including Montserrado County Senator, Abraham Darius Dillon, before being escorted from the RIA by the Deputy LNP boss, Marvin Sackor to his residence.
Speaking to a team of reporters, one of his lawyers, Cllr. Samuel Koffi Woods thanked Liberians for the warm welcome and support accorded them during their fight against the Liberian government.
He added that Justice Ja’neh’s victory over the government of Liberia at the ECOWAS Court of Justice is a milestone victory for the rule of law and the citizenry of the country, disclosing further that they will address the public in subsequent time after they shall have had consultation with stakeholder.
It can be recalled that former Associate Justice Ja’neh was removed from the Supreme Court bench by the Senate on March 29, 2019 after he was impeached by the House of Representatives in August 2018 on four counts, including his issuance of a writ of prohibition as petitioned by major petroleum dealers in the country to stop the government from collecting levy/taxes of US$0.25 (road fund) imposed on the pump price of petroleum products.
He was also accused of using his power to unlawfully claim the property of a woman believed to be in her 90s, as the controversial impeachment proceeding was presided over by Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor.
Months after his removal, Justice Jane’h then sued the government of Liberia to the ECOWAS Court of Justice on grounds that his human right was violated during his impeachment trial, of which on Tuesday, the ECOWAS Court of Justice rendered justice in favor of him, thereby ordering the government to pay him the sum US$200, 000 as reparation for moral prejudice suffered for the violation of his rights.
The community court in its judgment, also ordered the Republic of Liberia to restore, calculate and pay him all his withheld entitlements, including salaries, allowances and pension benefits as from the date of his impeachment to the date of notification of the judgment.
The court’s judgment further ordered his reinstatement as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court or in the alternative, to grant him the right to retire from service on the date of notification of this judgment with full pension benefits as if he had retired at the normal retirement age for justices of the Supreme Court.