PHOTO: FLASHBACK- Milton Weeks when he was first indicted
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmhalomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia- State lawyers have filed a motion for continuance in the corruption case against the former Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), Milton A. Weeks in the L$16 billion corruption case, as they attempt ‘to find common ground’ in order to move forward.
They say this is a means of resolving the matter so as to save time, energy and resources.
Earlier this month after the Criminal Court ‘C’ finally granted separate trials’ motion for former Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) Deputy Governor, Charles Sirleaf and other ex-CBL officials, the CDC government dropped charges against him and three others.
But the government did not drop charges against former CBL Governor proper, Mr. Milton Weeks on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. Weeks and the four other CBL officials were indicted since February 2019, by the Grand Jury of Montserrado County on crimes of Economic Sabotage, Money Laundering, Criminal Solicitation.
The corruption case against Sirleaf and the three others were Nolle Prosequoi with the exception of Weeks, because the former CBL Governor had earlier taken an Appeal to the Supreme Court through his Lawyer, Cllr. Abrahim Sillah.
But now, state Lawyers have said it is proper for an application of this sort to be made so that the parties can have ample time to discuss and reach peaceful agreement before proceeding, the State Lawyers said.
According to their motion, the Lawyers representing the Liberian government said they submit that the burden of proving the indictment drawn against named respondent rests on the movant.
In a four-count motion, (count one disclosed movants), it says it has indicted the within named respondent for the alleged felonious crimes of Money laundering, economic Sabotage, theft of property, criminal conspiracy and criminal facilitation and the case is pending before the Honorable court for trial.
However, movant submits that in the last few days there are strong indicators that suggestions geared at mitigating the charges and thereby finding a way forward in dealing with other issues are quite ripe and incredibly probable and therefore movant prays court for continuance of these proceedings.
“Movant further said that it is a practice and procedure in this jurisdiction that instructs where the parties at their own volition have initiated the process of opening windows of opportunity to hear each other’s concerns and advance suggestions on how to resolve a triable issue geared at finding an amicable solution that could lead to the mitigation of the Charges levied, a motion for continuance is the proper remedy at law to invoke to give the parties ample time.”
The State Lawyers further said that the motion is being made in good faith and is not intended to baffle or prolong the case.
“Wherefore and in view of the foregoing it is the prayer of the movant as follows:
“That your honor will grant movant’s motion for the continuance of these proceedings for three consecutive weeks for reasons stated inter Alia; and your honor will grant unto movant all and further relief that your honor may deem and equitable in the proceedings.”
The Movant motion was signed by Cllr. Jerry D.K. Garlawulo, Director, Financial crimes unit, Cllr. Wesseh A. Wesseh, Assistant Minister for Letigation and Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus, Solicitor General of Liberia.
Meanwhile, the court is expected to hear said motion filed by the state later.