By: R. Joyclyn Wea
MONROVIA-Criminal Court “C” was again unable to proceed with trial into the one Million United States Dollars Cocaine Case as most of the jurors who were shortlisted boycotted the process, while others refused to answer to their names even with their presence in court.
Of the fifteen (15) penal jury expected to preside over these proceedings, only eight were selected with seven outstanding.
Judge Blamo Dixson has mandated the jury management to submit new names of possible jurors to complete the penal while sending the eight selected jurors underground until the rest of the team is selected.
On this basis, the judge suspended the trial for this Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at which time the full jurors will be selected.
It can be recalled, during the last court sitting on February 17, 2023, the trial was suspended predicated upon a request by defense counsel for an interpreter (Portuguese and Arabic ) to give the defendants a fair trial.
Criminal Court ‘C’ did send a communication to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to provide foreign interpreters for said trial, but the ministry says it lacks foreign interpreters.
The Ministry’s February 20, 2023, letter to the Court compelled Judge Blamo Dixon to order the clerk of court to plead to Foreign Minister Dee Maxwell Kemayah to forward a diplomatic note to the US Embassy to aid the court with two interpreters in that area.
The two interpreters will be translated from Portuguese to the Arabic Language to English, and vice versa.
Three foreign nationals and a Liberian were indicted by the government for transporting a hundred million United States Dollars’ worth of drugs in Liberia.
They were charged with money laundering, unlicensed possession of controlled drugs, unlicensed importation of controlled drugs, and criminal conspiracy.
The interpreters were provided but the trial could not commence due to the failure to have a full jury penal.
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.