Liberia’s former chief justice and renowned politician, Gloria Maya Musu-Scott, has been acquitted by the Supreme Court in a landmark ruling that overturns her life sentence for the murder of her niece. The 70-year-old, along with three female relatives, had been convicted of the brutal killing of 29-year-old Charlotte Musu in February 2023, a case that captivated the nation.
The courtroom drama, which culminated in Wednesday’s acquittal, had placed one of Liberia’s most celebrated champions of women’s rights under intense scrutiny. Musu-Scott, who served as Liberia’s justice minister and later as chief justice until 2003, was a prominent figure in the Unity Party, helping to secure a significant legal victory against the electoral commission shortly before her arrest.
A jubilant crowd gathered to greet Musu-Scott and her relatives as they were released after more than eight months in prison. Reflecting on her ordeal, Musu-Scott expressed both relief and concern, stating, ‘There are a lot of innocent persons in jail in this republic. So I say thank you to the lawyers. But I say to them, there is still work to be done.’
The case, which had seen Musu-Scott convicted in December of stabbing her niece and conspiracy, was built on circumstantial evidence, as admitted by state prosecutors. However, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh, found the evidence insufficient to sustain the convictions.
‘The state did not meet the burden of proof to warrant the conviction of the defendants. Therefore, the defendants are hereby acquitted of the crimes of murder, criminal conspiracy… as charged in the indictment,’ ruled Justice Yuoh.
The acquittal has sparked mixed reactions, with women’s rights groups emphasising the need for true justice for the victim, Charlotte Musu. The Women Non-Governmental Organisations Secretariat of Liberia (Wongosol) voiced their concerns, saying, ‘Justice cannot be sacrificed for the sake of the wrongly accused,’ while acknowledging the suffering endured by the acquitted women.
As the nation grapples with the court’s decision, Musu-Scott’s case continues to underscore the complexities and challenges within Liberia’s justice system.
