PHOTO: Senate Secretary Singbe and connected to the case leaving the Criminal Court “C”
By Garmah Never Lomo,garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia- Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of Justice assigned Circuit Court, Judge Ousman F. Feika has said that the corruption case involving Senate Secretary, Nanborlor Singbe and nine others cannot be continued, unless State Prosecutors bring them under the court’s jurisdiction.
For some time now, the Liberian Senate has failed to temporarily relieve its Secretary, Singbe of his post and hand him over to the court through the Justice Ministry.
In a business deal, Singbe and others are accused of attempted to defraud the Liberian government of USD7,616.152 in much needed lawful revenue.
The other Co-defendants are Alex Saramek, Karel Socher, Sylvester Selvkpoh, Barry F. Tequah and Patrick Siaphie are served with the indictment and the writ of arrest and brought under the jurisdiction of the court.
The indictment further says:
“Private prosecutors contacted Co-defendant, J, Nanborlor F. Singbeh, Sr. That having been contacted, Co-defendant J. Nanborlor F. Singbeh, Sr., used his official position as government official, conspired and connived with defendants Co-Defendant Gloria Caine, Hon. George W. Wisner, Former Executive Director, National Investment Commission(NIC), Othello Z.B. Karr, Incentive Officer, National Investment Commission of Liberia(NIC), Prince A. Saysay and other to be identified, obtained faked and fraudulent “Investment Incentives” for duty free privileges; in spite of the fact that MHM Eko Liberia formed to engage in crushed rocks and related businesses with a capital investment of USD7,616.152; thereby creating the opportunity to defraud the Government of Liberia out of its much needed lawful revenue…”
The Court says the proceedings of the case can’t be continued as in keeping with the requirements and provisions of the Criminal procedure code of Liberia.
Judge Feika added that it a cardinal requirement under their Criminal procedure law that, defendants who have been indicted, must be served with the said indictments along with a writ of arrest in order to bring them under the jurisdiction of the court.
Additionally, it is also the requirements under our Criminal procedure code that Defendants jointly charged under a single indictment and all of whom have not been brought under the jurisdiction of the court to proceed with trial is tantamount to injuring the interest and defense of the defendants who have not been under the Jurisdiction of the Court Judge Feika added.
According to Judge Feika, while it is true and as per our Criminal procedure code and the constitution of the Republic of Liberia, that Defendants who are charged with Criminal offenses by the state are entitled to speedy trial.
And the Judge also said that speedy trial requirements can only be delivered or can only be satisfied as per the Liberian constitution, if the prosecution does see the need to guarantee speedy trial for the defendants present in Court.
Those who present in Court for the hearing today (Tuesday, August 17, 2021) are Chapman Z. Logan, J. Nanborlor Singbeh, Gloria J. Cane, Deddeh J. Singbeh, Jan Holasek, Othello Z. B. Kare, George W. Wiener, Alpha Morrah and Mulbah Kennedy.
Others were brought under the jurisdiction of the court but were absent are OUSMAN Fofana, Patrick Saah Siapiah, ECObank Liberia Limited (was granted a personal recognizance by the Court) and Afriland Bank.
WHEREFORE and in view of the foregoing, the trial of these proceedings is hereby suspended pending the issuance of a regular notice of assignment, provided that the prosecution will do the needful to guarantee speedy trial for the defendants who were present in Court.
The state was represented by Cllr. Wesseh A. Wesseh, Assistant Minister for Litigation at the Ministry of Justice.
Defendants Nanborlor F. Singbeh, Holask Jan, Karkel Socher, Ales Srannek, Glorious Cane, Mulbah Kenneh, Patrick Saah Siaphe and Madam Singbeh have been represented by the Wright and Associates law firm in association with Sayeh and Sayeh.
Present in court onTuesday were Cllr. G. Wiefueh Sayeh, J. Augustine Toe, and Cllr. Joseph P. Gibson.