By: R. Joyclyn Wea
Roosevelt willie, resident judge of the criminal court “A” at the temple of justice has halted the ongoing trial into Alexander Benedict Cummings criminal case at the level of the Monrovia city court, pending the outcome from a called conference between cummings and the All Liberian Party (ALP) of businessman Benoni Urey.
Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie’s action to place a ‘Stay Order’ on the trial was based on an action for summary proceedings filed on January 26, 2022, by Cllr. Abraham Boima Sillah, one of the lead lawyers defending the ANC political leader’s interest in the crimes of Forgery and Criminal Conspiracy levied against him by ALP Chairman,.
Recently, magistrate Jorma Jallah passed on a motion for subpoena Du Ce Tectum instructed Cummings to produce the original signed CPP framework document of May 19, 2020, as prayed for by the state within 72 hours. This was strongly condemned by Cummings’ lawyers on grounds that doing so would mean producing evidence to indict himself hance, the reason for filing such action.
In addition to the stay order, Judge Willie also cited all parties involved in this proceedings including Monrovia City Court Magistrate Jomah Jallah who is presiding over the trial to a hearing Monday, February 7, 2022. They have been given up to Friday, February 4, 2022, to file their returns to the complaint against them by Cummings’s Lawyers.
Judge Willie’s Order said: “By directive of His Honor Roosevelt Z. Willie, Resident Circuit Judge, Criminal Court “A” Temple of Justice, Monrovia, you are hereby cited in the Judge’s Chamber on Monday, February 7, 2022, at 11:00 am for the hearing of the Summary Proceedings filed against you by Cllr. Abraham B. Sillah, Sr. by thru his clients Alexander B. Cummings and others to be identified. Meanwhile, you are hereby mandated to file your returns in the office of the clerk of this honorable court, on or before Friday, February 4, A. D. 2022. Your Honor requests that you be present and on time.”
It further instructed: “By directive of his Honor Roosevelt Z. Willie, Resident Circuit Judge of Criminal Court “A” Temple of Justice, Monrovia, you are hereby cited in the judge’s chamber on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, at 11.AM for a hearing of the Summary Proceedings files against you by Cllr. Abraham B. Sillah, Sr. by and thru his clients Alexander B. Cummings and others to be identified. Meanwhile, you are hereby ordered to stay all proceedings pending the outcome of the hearing,” Judge Writ said.