MONROVIA, LIBERIA- Over twenty-five persons selected as jurors at Criminal Court ‘C’ on Monday could be rejected due to their affiliation with some of the defendants in the corruption case.
Cllr. Arthur Johnson told the Court that having jury trial is the decision of the defendant, according to criminal law, adding that asking for jurors by Prosecution is premature, noting that the Court should ascertain from defendants whether they need a bench or jury trial.
The prosecution argued that there were pre-trial conferences where the defendants asked for jury trial, and in that, Judge Roosevelt Willie reminded both parties that they had earlier requested Bench Trial but later somersaulted to having a jury trial, where there was no objection raised.
Moreover, Judge Willie said:” After the February 3, 2025, sitting, the Court decided to proceed with the selection Jury Trial where defense replied in the affirmative to get ready to proceed.”
Earlier, a motion to rescind filed by Defense Lawyers was entertained through arguments after Judge Willie permitted both parties to proceed with the matter.
In argument, the Defense Team told the Court that they were immune, adding that whatever they did was done as members of the National Security Council and are under no authority to explain to anyone.
But resisting said motion, the Prosecution told the Court that the Ministry of Finance, the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA), and the Central Bank were subpoenaed to testify based on the transactions done and authorized Defendant Samuel Tweah, who was the Finance Minister then.
The Court, having listened to both parties, raised two issues, whether or not, they lack jurisdiction to hear the matter, the question has been answered, wherein the Court stated that, according to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the Ministry of Justice, they are not requesting information from state security, but the lack of authority under which funds were withdrawn and transferred from the FIA.
Meanwhile, the selection of jurors continues on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Criminal Court ‘C’ in Monrovia.
