The Monrovia City Court was a scene of attraction on Tuesday Morning as supporters of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) stormed the grounds of the Temple of Justice in Monrovia to witness former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai testifies in the case involving ANC Political Leader Alexander Cummings.
The Former Vice President and Standard Bearer of the Unity Party was expected to testify in the ongoing case that involves the Standard Bearer of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) Alexander Benedict Cummings and the All Liberian Party Political Leader Benonie Urey.
The tension from some supporters of UP and ANC could not allow Judge Jallah to continue with the hearing due to security risk. Judge Jomah Jallah of the Monrovia City Court on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 suspended the case due to administrative reasons and tension from the supporters of both parties.
“We will not proceed with the trial today for administrative reasons so we can have the kind of atmosphere that is required for this trial”, Judge Jallah said.
According to the City Court Judge, the court will to put in strong security in order to have the atmosphere that is required for the trial. The Judge then ordered the clerk to reassign the case to a later day that was not disclosed to the media.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the case was suspended, the Solicitor General of Liberia Sayma Syrenius Cephus noted that he was in agreement with the Judge’s decision to postpone the trial, adding that the atmosphere created by supporters of the CPP was disturbing and outlaw, stressing the trial could not go on under such an environment.
“Why is it true that the state has all the resources to stop such a rally, but there was a limited deployment of security forces on the ground looking at the crowd. We need to put proper security forces into place to limit the number of persons that will come for the next trial and prevent people who will engage into uncouth behavior”, Cephus indicated.
The Solicitor General maintained that Judge Jallah decision was in the best interest of all parties.
He furthered that looking at the condition of the Former Vice President; it was prudent that Judge Jallah postponed the matter in order to prevent Amb. Boakai from testifying under such an atmosphere. According to the Solicitor General, he would have been held responsible if anything happen to UP’s Stander Bearer.
For his part, one of the lawyers representing ANC Political Leader Mr. Cummings Atty. Gould said it was a calculated plan for the government to have the case being suspended. According to him, the atmosphere has always been charged with supporters of both parties, but the government and the Unity Party is using the situation to extend the case.
Reported by: G. Watson Richards
Contact: 0880381808/0775807140
Email: richardswatson96@gmail.com
