Court Issues Writ of Arrest for NIC Program Manager for Domestic Violence
The Program Manager at the National Investment Commission (NIC) Andrew Anderson has been issued a writ of arrest to answer allegations of domestic violence, disorderly conduct, and menacing and simple assault committed against his wife.
The crimes allegedly committed by defendant Anderson violates section 16.5, 17.3,14.25, and 14.21 of the new penal code law of Liberia.
The writ was issued based on a complaint filed to the Paynesville Magisterial where Mrs. Loraine D. Anderson, stated that her husband on numerous occasions insulted, threatened her life and overall, has been in the constant habit of hitting on her, for which she had to leave her home since last year July; thus, leaving her three kids behind for the sake of peace and to stay alive.
According to the writ issued, victim Lorraine Anderson complain that the most recent violence she had experienced, which prompted the issuance of arrest, occurred on October 20, 2022, around 7:30 PM, when she had gone to visit her children and informed Anderson that she was there to see them.
Anderson in rage told her to leave the compound before he arrived but she informed him that she had the right to her children, has was ordered by the juvenile court on July 19, 2021
The Victim 2021 had petitioned the Juvenile Court at the Temple of Justice on grounds that her husband has been denying her access to the children. However, on July 19, the Judge of that court ruled that she be allowed to see her children at any time; at the same time informing the parties to return for a conference to settle the matter. According to Loraine, her husband has refused to show up for the conference thus disobeying the judge’s order.
Speaking in an interview with KNEWS, Loraine Anderson, narrated that Anderson on that fateful night had jumped on her, beat, slapped, and dragged her on the concrete floor in the compound, thus leaving bodily wounds on her nose, eyes, and mouth.
“When he got in the yard, he came directly to me and said, ‘get your ass from the yard.’” He kicked me first before I even had a chance to finish what I was going to say. He started hitting on me. The two girls stood in front of me trying to block him from hitting me, but he penetrated them and continued hitting me severely, my head, my side, and other parts of my body. He was hitting and kicking me all over the pavement in the yard.” she explained
She however called on Civil Society agencies, the government, and other humanitarian organizations to come to her aid because her husband has often threatened that nothing can be done to him, as he is connected to prominent people in the government and has connections
“I want civil society agencies, the government, and other groups to step in because my husband said nobody can do anything to him because he is a big man in the government. He is always threatening to harm me and I am afraid for my life” Lorraine stated in fear.
The victim furthered that she has filed for divorce since last year but the defendant has refused to pay and sign the papers which are currently in Civil Law court “B” at the Temple of Justice.
” I told him I don’t need anything from him because we do not have land together. I only want him to pay for the divorce papers and signed them. If he can not pay, I will do it” she added.
Lorraine continued; “I need my freedom and I want to be able to see my children freely without threats or being beaten by one man, who always hit on me for saying his good”
The Judge at the Paynesville Magisterial Court has begun the hearing and it is expected to continue on Thursday, October 27, 2022, at 10 AM.
