-Boakai’s Nominated Justice Minister
Liberians and others, who know Cllr. Lamin-Blamo, said she is a no-nonsense, principle-minded and an uncompromising woman that is best-suited for the job.
A former solicitor general in the Unity Party-led Sirleaf’s administration, she represented the government in many criminal cases. She was credited for her emphasis on strengthening prosecution, training and a review of prosecutors’ performances to identify their flaws, challenges and capacity deficits.
The nominee’s vast experience in the Liberian justice system, according to proven court records, makes her a familiar face as far as managing government’s litigation, investigation, prosecution, trial strategy and appellate litigation are concerned.
Her records have also shown that she recruited prosecutors that worked in the country's financial-crimes and anti-corruption prosecution environment.
Cllr. Lamin-Blamo, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission has disclosed, recruited one of its senior prosecutors, Cllr. Bobby F. Weetol Livingstone, during her tenure as Solicitor General in 2015.
If confirmed by the Liberian Senate, she will replace Cllr. Tweh, who was ejected from the position on late Wednesday evening as Minister of Justice.
Cllr. Lamin-Blamo will be taking over at a time the government is under mounting pressure amidst ongoing investigations into how cocaine put at accost of over US$300million entered the Country and who all are involved.
She is also taking over amidst mount calls for transparency in the ongoing investigations to save guard the integrity of the Country’s justice system.
Former Justice Minister, Tweh, had warned the public against unsubstantiated claims or allegations against others without a shred of evidence.
It can be recalled, that outgoing Justice Minister, warned against "trial by media," arguing that criminal cases should be built on facts, evidence and law rather than public accusations.
From all indications, Cllr. Betty Lamin-Blamo has the herculean task to disprove widespread claims and allegations that the government is only pursuing members of the opposition, particularly officials of the CDC and Weah-led administration, while it is shielding officials and partisans of the ruling Unity Party, who are being accused of complicity in the drug crisis, but the government has repeatedly denied the claims.
The allegations recently intensified following the arrest and subsequent detention of former Vice President, Jewel Howard-Taylor, on allegation that she has link with drug cartels, sparking tension and debate across the Country.
Former President George Weah, who on Wednesday returned to the Country, has also accused the government of tampering with the justice system. The government has not officially responded to the former President’s claim.
