By Never G. Lomo,garmahlomo@gmail.com
The Judge presiding over the 16 billion Liberian dollars banknotes money laundering and economic sabotage case, Blamo Dixon of the Criminal Court ‘C’ on Thursday landed a bombshell, by announcing he’s pulling out of the trial, which is prosecuting one of the sons of former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Mr. Charles Sirleaf.
Mr. Sirleaf was Deputy CBL Governor for Operations.
The Judges’s dramatic announcement came after state prosecution rested with its first witness Baba M. Boakia, an investigator from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission earlier on Tuesday, leaving the stage with Defense Counsel to cross examine the witness on the stand today (Thursday.
But Jdge Dixon has pronounced his recusal from hearing the ongoing L$16b case.
The Judge verbally stated that the reason for his recusal is best known to himself.
Their charges of economic sabotage charges have been modified and the men have now been charged with money laundering for allegedly printing billions of Liberian dollars illegal during the former regime.
Mr. Sirleaf has been on bail for health reasons.
Others indicted in the ongoing 16 billion case are Milton A. Weeks, former Executive Governor Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), Dorbor M. Hagba, Director, Finance department, Richard H. Walker, Director for operations, Joseph Dennis, deputy director internal audit all of CBL.
With the recusal statement coming from the Judge, both the prosecution and defense lawyers have taken exception.
Defense lawyers in their exception said the recusal of the judge does not have legal ground or reason.
While state prosecution in their exception promised to take advantage of the statute controlling the law.
However, sources within the corridor of Criminal Court ‘C’ said the Judge have been making some critical comments against Judge Dixon during the course of the trial regarding his handling of the case.
Sometime ago, a motion of existing bail bond was filed by the defend counsels which the Judge denied saying I am the judge in this matter something that triggered the defense counsels to file a Writ of Centurori against him. The Supreme Court of Liberia Justice in chambers, Yusif Kaba mandated that the issue of bail bond should be put aside and continue the matter because the term of court is expiring.
Judge Dixon has already found the defendants guilty by his derogatory statement in court against the defendants.
Meanwhile, no one from both the prosecution and defense filed any motion of recusal against Judge Dixon.