MONROVIA-The political leader of the Alternative National Congress-ANC was late Tuesday set free after a valid appearance bond was filed by his lawyers.
Heavily guarded at the Temple of Justice ground on Tuesday to respond to charges of forgery and criminal conspiracy, levied against him by the All Liberian People Party(ALP) Mr. Cummings was set free by Monrovia City court judge Joma Jallah.
A writ of Forgery and Criminal conspiracy was filed against him on Monday by ALP, headed by Mr. Benoni W. Urey, a former confidant of jailed president, Charles Taylor for what they termed as changing the framework documents which bind four political parties together.
Mr. Cummings’s ANC is part of the collaborating Political parties( CPP), a collaboration of four political parties; Liberty Party(LP), Unity Party(UP) All Liberian Peoples Party(ALP) and Alternative National Congress(ANC). The writ was issued by Judge Joma Jallah said:
“You are hereby commanded to arrest the living bodies of Alexander B. Cummings and others to be identified, defendants and forthwith bring them before the Monrovia City Magisterial Court Temple of Justice to answer to the crime of Forgery and Criminal Conspiracy based upon the oath and complaint of the Republic of Liberia by and thru All Liberian Party by and thru its National Chairman, Theodore Momo, plaintiff in which it is substantially alleged as follows wit”.
But in recent times, there has been accusations and counter accusations that Mr. Cummings altered the framework documents which unites all the parties. Mr. Cummings has denied all allegations. He said, if he altered any document, it would stand to benefit his party-but there is no benefit from anywhere.
“When you altered or cheat, you stand to benefit, but what is there that the ANC stands to benefit”? he told a local radio talk show last year.
When the chairman of Liberty Party(LP), Musa Bility was asked on Monday following the writ, he escribed it as “total nonsense.”
Mr. Cummings told open court that he has no knowledge of the allegation levied against him. Based upon this, and looking at the validity of his bond, he was set free to appear in court once he was needed.
Mr. Cummings after his release thanked his supporters for standing by him. It is not known when he will reappear in court to carry out hearing.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.