“I Am Scared, Very Afraid , Need Security Protection ” -OWECC-L Executive Director Fears Threats By: Julius Konton

The Executive Director for the establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia, Cllr. Dr. Jallah Barbu, has termed as troubling and worrisome, the absence of security protection for him.

According to him, his latest statement comes in the wake of recent attack at the home of the Chairperson of the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force, Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin by unknown people.

” I am very scared and worried , I look over my shoulders many times when I leave my office, I get afraid so much so that at times, I sleep in the office, ” he explained to the media.

The OWECC-L  Executive Director stated that security presence for him is even more essential now especially when there is a  clear reality  that the courts will be established in Liberia and those who are against such process are now digging on their heels to do everything possible to prevent such process from becoming a reality.

“Security situation is more concerning now,” Dr. Barbu reemphasized; adding that even those whom they will be interacting with during their engagements across the country will also need security.

“The pieces of information we have now are so vital that if they get destroyed due to the absence of security protection, it will be a serious setback for the entire process,” he added.

He, at the same time, called on security agencies of the country to see the need for them to sit on a round time and discuss on the best way in providing him security.

Cllr. Barbu who admitted that the nature of his work and the process thus far are scaring was also quick to confidently say that he remains resilient and will continue to work along with his team in order to achieve the mandate of the OWECC-L.

“Even if it will cause me to sleep in this office all of the times to do my work just to ensure that, I live up to my mandate; I will do it,” he reechoed.

Barbu’s repeated calls continue to sound a warning for urgent action to be taken as the timely intervention of the police or other security institutions of the country especially their swift intervention can’t be overemphasized.

Meanwhile, he re-emphasized that the principle of inclusion of all persons with no room for exclusion remains enforced by the OWECC-L.

In another development, the fight against impunity, human rights abuse, and violations of humanitarian law, and disregard for the rule of law has taken another major boost following the insurance of Executive Order No. 148 by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai establishing the Office of A War And Economic Crimes Court for Liberia.

The decision by the President has been welcomed by the Executive Director of OWECC-L, Cllr. Barbu and now gives him and his team another opportunity to execute their mandate establishing the office.

According to him, the Liberian leader’s latest decision is a demonstration that he has explicit confidence in him and that of the work of his office over the period.

”I respectfully avail myself of this opportunity to thank  President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. for his bold, decisive and unrelenting drive aimed at fighting impunity, abuse of human rights, and violations of the law,” Cllr. Barbu said.

Speaking at a press conference in Monrovia,  Dr. Barbu stated that  the move will also address the atrocities committed and the enormous sufferings to which the Liberian people have been subjected on the one hand, and on the other, assure accountability and healing of the wounds growing of the war.

 He, at the same time, told reporters that the President’s action is a commitment to “ensuring the enforcement of justice for war crimes victims, as part of the government’s rule of law initiative.

”In our country today, we still experience war mongering, threats of violence, and in reality, violence that reminds us of the atrocities and sufferings from our civil crises and unless, and until they are dealt with uncompromisingly, our country may never enjoy stable peace and justice for all,” he noted.

Dr. Barbu  agreed fully with the President that in the best interest of the Liberian people, the implementation of the TRC Report calls for the establishment of an Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal for Liberia that will prosecute people who committed war crimes and, crimes against humanity, of whatever nature, during the course of the Liberian civil war, be pursued not only to address the impunities and atrocities that attended the Liberian Civil War, but also to serve as a deterrence for similar events in the future.

The Head for the Office of the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia used the occasion to reassure President Boakai and the Liberian people that the office primary focus among other things, is the inclusion of all persons with no room for exclusion remains enforced.

The new mandate also saw the increment of the annual budget of the office from 368,00usd to 2m; this, Cllr. Barbu described as laudable whilst  also advocating for more due to the huge tasks ahead including the crucial nature of their work.

“I Believe that the President agreed with my advocacy for more funding to the office for our work and this led to the new appropriation of 2m which will be released quarterly in the tune of 500,00usd,” he disclosed.

Cllr. Barbu who named some of their expenditure items as annual rent of 50,000, salaries of staffs, the purchase of stationaries, electricity supply as well as working with local civil society organizations in and around the country among others, was also quick to appeal to other partners to assist them in other to further enhance their work.

“We therefore call on all actors, government ministries and agencies, officials of government, civil society actors, business people, academics, students, religious institutions and persons, the international community and everyone, to support this effort,” he re-emphasized.

He, at the same time, reassured   President Boakai of his office fullest commitment to performing the services requested of him and his team in fighting for Justice against impunity including upholding the rule of law across the country.