𝐒𝐞𝐧. 𝐃𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 Sen. Dillion Seeks Extension In Status Of Limitation -Submits Bill

The Plenary of the Liberian Senate has received and conducted first reading of a Bill seeking to amend the Criminal Procedures Law of Liberia, allowing for the extension of the period for prosecuting non-capital offenses, particularly targeting corruption, economic sabotage, and abuse of public resources.

The Bill which was submitted by Montserrado County Senator, Abraham Darius Dillon on Thursday, October 31, 2024, seeks specifically to amend Chapter 4, Sections 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4 of the Criminal Procedures Law, Title II of the Liberian Code of Laws Revised.

When passed into law, the Bill will be used to tackle the issue of unprosecuted cases involving public officials due to restrictive time limitations.

Under the existing law, the prosecution period for non-capital offenses is five years for felonies and three years for misdemeanors, as outlined in Chapter 4, Sections 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4 of the Criminal Procedures Law.

However, Senator Dillon, believes that this limitation has hindered the government’s ability to pursue cases of waste and abuse involving public officials, as successive governments have often delayed prosecutions due to political reluctance or lack of resources, resulting in a culture of impunity.

Key amendments in the bill include extending the prosecution period for felonies from five to seven years after the crime was committed or discovered.

Additionally, the Montserrado County Senator proposed that for serious offenses related to corruption, economic sabotage, human trafficking, and drug trafficking, the bill allows prosecution up to 15 years after the offense is committed or discovered.

When passed, the Bill will increase the prosecution period for misdemeanors, from three to five years, while offenses classified as minor violations now will have a three-year time limit.

The amendment further revises Section 4.4, allowing prosecutions for misconduct by public officials at any time during their tenure or within seven years after leaving office.

The Bill in section 4.3 proposes removing the existing clause that allowed an additional two years to prosecute cases of fraud and fiduciary breaches after the discovery of the offense. LINA