Liberia's Justice Minister-designate, Cllr. Betty M. Lamin-Blamo, has appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Augustine Chea of Sinoe County, to face scrutiny on her qualifications and approach to the justice system. Lamin-Blamo, who has been acting minister since September, vowed to prioritize evidence-based prosecutions, stating that cases will be brought based on evidence, not power or affiliation. She emphasized that her loyalty as Attorney General would be to the Constitution and laws of the Republic.
Lamin-Blamo highlighted the challenges facing the justice system, including a backlog of over 2,800 untried inmates out of a total of 4,125 inmates nationwide. She noted that many inmates have not even been indicted, and that the state will "either prosecute or release" in accordance with the law. The nominee acknowledged concerns about selective justice and vowed to step aside openly wherever she has a conflict of interest. She also emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in the justice system.
The nominee identified the gap between police investigators and prosecutors as one of the weakest links in the criminal justice chain. She stated that many cases collapse due to incomplete investigations, poorly preserved evidence, or charges that do not fit the facts. Lamin-Blamo pledged to continue an assessment of the prosecution department's capacity and develop a roadmap for its effectiveness. She emphasized that cases must be evidence-based and professionally prepared to protect the rights of the accused and assure victims of serious crimes.
Lamin-Blamo disclosed that at the Monrovia Central Prison alone, 1,312 of 1,888 inmates, more than 69 percent, are awaiting trial. She observed that the burden falls hardest on the poor, who cannot afford a lawyer. The ministry has begun reviewing pre-trial files at the Monrovia Central Prison, and she pledged to extend the review nationwide if confirmed. Lamin-Blamo also urged the Senate to pass a pending bill extending the terms of court to decongest prisons.
The nominee argued that pre-trial detention and prison overcrowding require policy reform. She illustrated the point with armed robbery and statutory rape cases, noting that many defendants are held at the Monrovia Central Prison awaiting trial. Lamin-Blamo pledged full support for a new correctional facility at Cheesemanburg and sought legislative funding for its construction. She also promised a nationwide assessment of prison capacity, security, and infrastructure.
Lamin-Blamo vowed to pursue the importers, traders, financiers, and protectors of illicit drug trafficking, which she said is destroying a generation of young Liberians. She pledged to dismantle the cartels and provide rehabilitation for those struggling with addiction. The nominee emphasized that Liberia will not be a transit country, a laundering point, or a soft place to do bad business.
Lamin-Blamo's confirmation hearing was a test of her grasp of the legal, institutional, and ethical demands of her office. The Senate Judiciary Committee will weigh her record against the challenges facing the justice system, including the cocaine prosecutions, an exodus of experienced prosecutors, and public suspicion of selective justice. The committee's decision will determine whether Lamin-Blamo will lead the justice system in addressing the backlog of untried inmates and promoting evidence-based prosecutions.
Key points
- Lamin-Blamo vows to prioritize evidence-based prosecutions and address the backlog of over 2,800 untried inmates.
- The nominee identifies the gap between police investigators and prosecutors as a weak link in the criminal justice chain.
- Lamin-Blamo pledges to pursue illicit drug trafficking cartels and provide rehabilitation for those struggling with addiction.
