News Editor
MONROVIA, 27th June 2022 – The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency, Godfrey A.E ODUDIGBO (fdc.) on 24th June 2022 paid a courtesy call on the Solicitor General of the Republic of Liberia, Counsellor Sayma Syrenius Cephus. During the meeting, the Nigerian Ambassador praised the Solicitor General for his diligence and dedication to the rule of law, and thanked him for attending the inauguration ceremony organised for the newly elected Executives of the Yoruba Community and Descendent Union of Liberia, held at the Embassy of Nigeria in Monrovia on 12th June 2022. The two discussed issues affecting the rule of law and access to justice, with exchange of ideas towards improving regional cooperation for the deepening of democracy and regional security.
The Top Diplomat subsequently presented a list of Nigerian citizens that are still awaiting trials, despite spending from 200 to 4000 days in various prisons in Liberia. He noted that the Embassy encourages the need to punish any convicted criminal as a deterrence to others in the society, while stressing the necessity to continue adhering to the principle that justice delayed is justice denied.
In his remarks, Counsellor Cephus recounted the historic role played by Nigeria during the Liberian Civil wars, enthusing that the current peace, security and democracy in Liberia is owed to the significant efforts of the Nigeria-led ECOMOG intervention in Liberia. He thanked the Nigerian government for its commitment to the region, stressing that the success of the West African sub-region is in no small measure anchored on Nigeria’s continued brotherly role.
The Solicitor General expressed regret about the news of the continued detention of some Nigerians who are yet to undergo the full course of the judicial process and promised to wade into the matter. Counsellor Cephus immediately called on a Senior Official at the Solicitor General’s Office to conduct further investigation on the matter by comparing the list received from the Embassy with the official records from Liberian prison authorities. He then promised to revert to Ambassador ODUDIGBO on the matter, at the earliest possible time.
In his final remarks, Ambassador ODUDIGBO thanked the Solicitor General for his warm reception and pledged Nigeria’s continued support to the Government and the people of Liberia. He highlighted the need to sustain the current peace, security and development in Liberia, and urged increased cooperation among ECOWAS member states, in the wake of recent political instabilities in the sub-region.
