Are State Resources Being Wasted By The Justice Ministry On Cases They Can’t Win?
PHOTO: Andrew D. Wonplo, sacked Passport Director being interviewed by Reporters outside the court on Tuesday
By Garmah Never Garmah from the Temple of Justice
Monrovia- Criminal Court ‘C’ presided over by Judge Yarmie Quiqui Gbeisay has dismissed charges against the former Passport Director at the Foreign Ministry, Andrew D. Wonplo and restored his liberty.
Director Wonplo and a Nigerian national identified as Adedoyin E. Atiro were indicted by the state during the August term of court in 2019 on three crimes–economic Sabotage, theft of property and criminal conspiracy.
The dismissal of charges against the Defendant Wonplo by court was done on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 in the Liberian capital, following a motion filed to by to dismiss charges against him by his lawyer due to failure by the prosecution team at the Justice Ministry to prosecute the matter.
The dismissal of charges against the former passport direction by court was in line with Chapter 18 section 18.2 of the Criminal procedure law which states that dismissal by court or failure to proceed with prosecution after two successive terms of court.
According to the indictment, on the 13th of August A.D. 2019, the Liberia National Police through its Crimes Services Division received information that defendant Wonplo, former passport Director and Adedoyin E. Atiro, a Nigerian national were developing and designing a scheme, which as a direct result, the government of Liberia sustained the loss of USD 25,000.00 as its much needed revenue generation.
That predicted upon the defendant’s created scheme, the indictment said the Crimes Services Department of the Liberia national Police constituted a special investigation team to investigate their involvement into said scheme that constituted into their direct commission of the crimes of Economic Sabotage,theft of property and Criminal Conspiracy respectively.
It also said that the Co-defendant, Andrew D. Wonplo at the time director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs passport department was entrusted with 4,250( four thousand two hundred and fifty) pieces of blank Liberian passports to be issued to Liberians.
“Hence, while, co-defendant Andrew D. Wonplo was serving within the employ of government, and in the capacity as Director for passport, republic of Liberia, at the same time, charged with responsibilities to protect the image and dignity of the republic of Liberia, purposely, knowingly, willfully and intentionally signed and issued several pieces of passport to co- defendant Adedoyin E. Atiro and without any remorse began to sell Liberian passports to non-Liberian within and out of the bailiwack of Liberia,” the indictment said.
According to the indictment, while co-defendant Adedoyin E.Atiro in this token issued a cash receipt of US 1,000.00 to victim Sarah D. Washington on the 16th day of July A.D. 2019, thereby causing the government of Liberia to lost US $25,000.00 as it was much needed for revenue generation.
Meanwhile, after the court’s ruling on Tuesday, the acquitted former Passport Director told Reporters assigned at the Temple of Justice that he expected his freedom by the court, because he did nothing for which he should be convicted.
Mr. Wonplo also said Liberia is a country of laws, even though the case was between him and the Republic of Liberia, he does not intend to take issue with the government for tarnishing his character because he is a strong CDCIANS and also said “these are things that happen in life for which one must expect.”
Mr. Wonplo added that what he wants to see is that the logo of the ruling Coalition for Change must live on and he still remains a strong member or CDCIAN, while thanking God that he has been cleared of the crimes leveled against him.
State Prosecutors have been absent throughout whenever assignments were being made, even during Tuesday’s ruling.
A lawyer was called to sit in the place of prosecution, because they were absent again in court. But lawyer on behalf of prosecution said they will take advantage of statute controlling.