RAINE TARKA GOLEGIO
The Chairman of the Liberia National Commission on Small Arms Atty. Teklo Maxwell Grigsby has recused himself from an ongoing investigation pertaining to the outcome of the case involving his deceased niece, Student Precious Ireland that requires the commission’s intervention.
It follows Tuesday April 13, 2021 incident that led to the death of Precious Ireland, pupil of the Cyber-ED Christian School of Excellence located in the Sophie Community, Congo Town who died as a result of a gun-shot wound allegedly by her classmate Juvanus Turay while on campus.
Since the situation transpired, there has been mix reaction in the public on how student Juvanus Turay managed to enter the school’s campus with firearm which is prohibited in Liberia for private citizen to operate firearm and immediately prompted the Liberian National Police, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection among others to commenced speedy investigation.
But in a press statement issued by the LINCSA on Thursday April 15, 2021, Atty. Teklo Maxwell Grigsby indicated that his decision to recuse himself from the case is pursuant to chapter V section 2 of the Act creating the Liberia National Commission, which states “Commissioners shall be required to disclose any potential conflict of interest that may hinder the full and objective execution of their duties”.
He requested the Vice Chairperson of the Commission, Madam Bennietta Jarbo to collaborate with the Liberia National Police and other relevant security institutions in investigating and prosecuting the supra-mentioned case as he provides legal advisory to his bereaved family.
Atty. Grigsby further assured the public that the Liberia National Commission on Small Arms will work with other agencies including the Ministries of Education, Gender and Social Protection and the administration of the Cyber-ED Christian School of Excellence to take the necessary actions that will prevent further occurrences of the sad shooting incident.