Magistrate Jomah Jallah Suspends Ex-VP Boakai’s Testimonial Hearing Citing Administrative Reasons
By Rachel Saykiamien
Monrovia – It was a day full of another drama at the Temple of Justice when the Monrovia City Court Judge Jomah Jallah suspended the appearance of former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai.
The former Vice President was expected to take the witness stand in testifying to the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) framework document currently in the possession of the court.
However due to the tensions from opposing partisans as noticed by K-News judicial reporter, Magistrate Jallah placed a hold on the hearing until further notice.
Last week, ANC Political Leader Alexander Cummings was jeered and shoved by supporters of the All Liberian Party (ALP) after the National Election Commission (NEC) Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah presented a photocopy of the CPP framework document to the Court and claimed it was the exact document that was presented to the NEC by the CPP through Mr. Cummings when he served its Chairperson.
Rendering his decision on Tuesday, Magistrate Jallah said the decision to postpone the hearing was based on administrative orders.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Jallah said the court is putting measures in place to have adequate security on the grounds of the Temple of Justice during the next assigned hearing day in order to avoid a reoccurrence of the situation that was displayed by the party’s supporters at the court.
However, defense lawyers took serious exception, noting that the state should have known better as they are clothed with the responsibility of providing security for its citizens.
Defense lawyers murmuring in court said the state should have provided enough security due to the nature of the case and not keep postponing as it might take the case to an extended period than its usual thirty-day scheduled.
The lead defense lawyer, Abrahim Sillah, representing the defense counsel noted that, by law, a case in a magisterial court should only last for thirty days; adding that the Judge should take note as time is no longer in his favor.
