Former Vice President Joseph Boakai receives a welcome ovation from the Supreme Court of Liberia to testify to the CPP framework document.
Mr. Boakai was to testify today before his honor Judge Jomah Jallah of the Monrovia City Court in the ongoing trial of ANC Political Leader Alexander B. Cummings for alleged alteration of the CPP framework document.
Joseph N. Boakoi arrived on the grounds of the Temple of Justice with huge supporters and was received with a standing ovation by the Court. The UP Political leader did not testify in court based on a motion filed by the prosecuting team in the proceedings.
The prosecution stated that former VP Boakai will only testify in Court if the original CPP framework document filed with NEC by the defense team is brought to Court.
The Court earlier issued a writ of Sopiano on the Director of Political Affairs of NEC Ignatius Wesseh to produce the original copy of the CPP document that was filed by Cummings’ lawyers.
The writ of Sopiano was not served on Mr. Wesseh as it was established that he was not at NEC to receive the writ that could have compared him to bring the original copy of the framework document.
Therefore, the Prosecution prayed the Court to reissue the Sopaino to NEC boss Davidetta Brown Lassanah to produce the original document.
They added that only the original document is the best evidence, noting that no evidence is better that presupposes the CPP document so that VP Boakai and the other thirty-four witnesses can testify.
The prosecution stated that their request for the original CPP document is in line with trial practices and procedure and it’s not intended to delay the trial.
They maintained that the UP standard barrier can only be allowed to testify to a photocopy or duplicate of the CPP document when the original is missing or in the hands of the adverse party.
But in this case, the CPP original document is in the hand of NEC so their witnesses cannot testify to a photocopy or duplicate.
But the defense Counsel asked the Court to dismiss the application by the state because it is not in line with best practices.
Defense lead Counsel Ibrahim Salah argued that prior to the Sopaino being issued to Mr. Wesseh of NEC, the original copy of the CPP framework document was produced, testified to, and marked by the Court.
He noted that at the production of said instrument prosecution interposed no objection to NEC for the original copy to be left with NEC while the Court keeps the photocopy.
Cllr. Salah, however, said for the prosecution to request for the same copy of the document is intended to delay the proceedings and the end of Justice.
Meanwhile, Judge Jomah Jallah granted the application filed by the prosecution to serve a writ of sopiano to the NEC Boss to produce the original framework document on May 4, 2022, at 10:30 Am.
Reported by: G. Watson Richards
Email: richardswatson96@gmail.com
Cells : +231880381808/ +231775807140
WhatsApp +231776132571
