Former Sierra Leonean rebel, Gibril Massaquoi, has recently filed a lawsuit against prominent Liberian human rights activist, Hassan Bility, and the organizations Global Justice and Research Project and Civitas Maxima. The lawsuit alleges malicious prosecution and seeks damages.
Massaquoi’s legal action comes in response to his involvement in a trial in Finland, where he was accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during Sierra Leone’s civil war. The trial, which concluded in February 2021, resulted in Massaquoi’s acquittal due to lack of evidence.
In his lawsuit, Massaquoi claims that Bility’s Global Justice and Research Project and Civitas Maxima played a role in initiating and supporting the baseless charges against him. He argues that their actions amounted to malicious prosecution, causing him significant harm and damage to his reputation.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for the damages suffered by Massaquoi as a result of the unfounded accusations and the subsequent trial. It also aims to hold Bility and the mentioned organizations accountable for their alleged role in maliciously prosecuting him.
Both Bility and Civitas Maxima have been actively involved in advocating for justice and accountability for war crimes and human rights abuses in Liberia and other countries. However, Massaquoi’s lawsuit raises questions about their conduct in this specific case.
As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how the court will assess the validity of Massaquoi’s claims and determine the outcome of the lawsuit. We will continue to monitor the developments in this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Bility and Civitas Maxima have come under criticism in recent times for manufacturing evidence and witness coaching in war crimes cases. Even though they have denied the allegations, the Gibril Massaquoi’s case is the second of lawsuits filed against the groups for malicious prosecution. The first was from Agnes Taylor, the wife of former Liberian President Charles Taylor.
