Africa-Press – Liberia. The Grievance and Ethics Committee (GEC) at the Supreme Court will on Wednesday, June 14, begin an investigation into an accusation of acts of fraud committed by a top lawyer, Atty. Bob Laywehyee.
The GEC said in a statement on Monday that hearings into the case will open by 1pm, at the GEC s office, Room Number 015, Ground Floor, Temple of Justice, Building.
Laywehyee, according to the high court, is accused of facilitating the falsification of a deed for 1.5 lots of land, that belong to one Rosemarie Williams. After allegedly falsifying the deed, he reportedly sold it to Jacob Knewolo.
Williams’ Attorney-In-Fact, Edward Lamin, claimed in a complaint that Laywehyee’s action led to his client, who is based in the USA, losing everything that she had on the land. The property at the center of the investigation is situated between the GSA Road and Zubah Town intersections in Paynesville City.
It was against this backdrop that the Supreme Court asked the GEC to subject Laywehyee, who is one of the lawyers at the NASH Legal Services law firm, to an investigation.
Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh, who ordered the investigation, described the allegation against Laywehyee, grave and warranting attention so as to protect the sanctity of the legal profession.
In its statement on Monday, the GEC chairperson, Cllr. George E. Henries said that the parties (Lamin and Laywehyee) are requested to come along with all pertinent documents and with all witnesses, ‘if any, in support of your complaint.
However, the committee is not known for aggressively pursuing inquiries. Critics often argue that the body moves too slowly and has few options to punish lawyers for misdeeds. Although the complaint was filed in 2019 before former Chief Justice Francis Korkpor, he did nothing to have Atty. Laywehyee investigated for the grave accusations against the lawyer.
It wasn’t until January of 2023, when Lamin wrote a reminder letter regarding Atty. Laywehyee’s alleged ethical conduct to current Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh, that the complaint was forwarded to the GEC to start the investigation.
Though the committee can in rare instances recommend the suspension of the law license of convicted lawyers, according to a Supreme Court lawyer, who wants his identity undisclosed, “its principal tool is to release reports that may create pressure for action by the Supreme Court against the lawyers,” the senior lawyer added.
Laywehyee’s investigation is expected to cover several areas where he has been accused of falsifying land deeds and interference with the legal process, in a formal complaint filed by Madam Rosemarie Williams’ Attorney-in-Fact, Edward Lamin.
In her complaint, Lamin alleges that Laywehyee’s action led to his client, who is based in the USA, losing everything that she had on the land.
Knewolo, according to Lamin, is currently constructing a story building on the land, while ownership is being contested before the Civil Law Court.
The property in question is situated between the GSA Road and Zubah Town intersections in Paynesville City. According to Lamin, Laywehyee backdated the deed to the property to 2004 and had it probated with the help of one James Leemah, who claimed to be a Counselor at Law.
Lamin added that Madam Williams bought the land in 2005 and built a four-bedroom concrete structure on it but Laywehyee’s action has left her with nothing.
“Everything was broken down to ground level because of Laywehyee’s fake deed and subsequent sale,” the letter alleges. “Rosemarie Williams had just commenced the construction of a three-storeroom building that was at foundation level before Laywehyee carried out his action.
He alleges that Laywehyee had been pleading on behalf of the illegal Knewolo until the magistrate had to transfer the case to the Civil Law Court.
Lamin claims that Laywehyee’s actions have undermined his ability to take possession of the property and that he influenced and induced the caretaker on behalf of Knewolo, while hiding his involvement in the illegal purchase.
Laywehyee’s action continues to undermine and injure my ability to take possession of the property. He initially prevailed, influenced, and induced the caretaker on behalf of Knewolo, while sinisterly telling Knewolo not to identify himself as the person who had illegally purchased the property,” Lamin’s complaint said.
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