MONROVIA, Montserrado – The head of the National Children Representative Forum, formerly known as the Liberian Children Parliament, say she is pleased with the resignation of Justice Minister and Liberia’s Attorney General, Benedict Sannoh.
Satta Sheriff, the Speaker of the Forum, said Sannoh’s resignation brings relief for the children of Liberia seeking justice.
Sheriff said during his time at the Ministry of Justice, Sannoh presided over several investigations concerning mysterious deaths of children that were inconclusive.
“For instance, the case of Alvin Moses and Ruben Joe, who were found in an abandoned vehicle, is yet to reach a conclusive end despite calls from the parents of the children and right groups,†she referenced.
Ruben and Alvin went missing on December 2nd last year and were found dead in an abandoned vehicle belonging to Henry Nnadi, a Nigerian national in the neighborhood on the next day.
Preliminary results of a police investigation into the death of the children showed that heat caused their death due to lack of oxygen.
Rights activists and members of the public strongly criticized the report. According to them, the police report has no medical reliance.
The parents of the children also condemned the report and called for an autopsy examination to be conducted on the children.
However, Police Spokesman Sam Collins said the investigation earlier conducted by the police is final. He said the police investigation relied on its forensic department, which has experienced medical experts on its team.
Satta said the refusal of the Ministry of Justice presided over by Sannoh fast track a further investigation is a total injustice to the families of the two children and the children of Liberia.
She believes that with Sannoh’s resignation, calls for the government to carry out further investigation will yield fruits.
“We will not rest out advocacy, but will continue until justice can be dispensed in this matter,†she added.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf received Sannoh’s resignation on April 7. Wheatonia Dixon-Barnes is currently the Acting Minister of Justice.
Featured photo by Gbatemah Senah
