By: R. Joyclyn Wea
MONROVIA-Criminal Court “A” has placed travel restriction on seven indicted officials of the CDC-COP from leaving the country.
Judge Roosevelt Willie’s travel embargo is among four other pre-conditions to support the defendants’ bond obtained from the Monrovia City Court.
As part of the conditions, Judge Willie requested that the defendants provide three human sureties to guarantee their appearance at every stage of the trial and that the defendants surrender their passports or travel documents to the court.
Judge Willie’s writ of Ne Exeat República further that “the defendants are hereby ordered to sign in the attendance book of the sheriff twice a month (that is to say every first and last month of each month).”
The Court “A” Judge’s action comes a day after the seven CDC-COP executives including Ben Believe Togbah, Abdurrahman Barry, Aaron K. Chea, Foday N. Massaquoi, Joshuah Saye Karr, Porkar S. Roberts, Kendrick C. Pelenah were indicted by the Grand Jury for Montserrado County and subsequently rearrested by Criminal Court “A”.
The defendants are being indicted over three crimes: criminal attempt to commit murder, aggravated assault, and criminal conspiracy after four of the seven crimes initially charged by the police were dropped at the level of the Monrovia City Court.
On August 17, Magistrate Jorma Jallah dismissed the crimes of a misdemeanor, criminal mischief, rioting, disorderly conduct, and failure to disperse without prejudice to the state, meaning the state can no longer prosecute the defendants for the crimes mentioned.
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.