PHOTO: (L-R) Justice Minister Cllr. Frank Musa Dean and the confiscated cocaine
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia- The Supreme Court of Liberia has ordered the Minister of Justice Cllr. Frank Musa Dean to pay US$113,000 Cocaine money that was seized from the now acquitted defendants.
The highest court in the country issued the mandate on Tuesday, May 30,2023 mandated.
The Supreme Court’s mandate was read in open court on June 1,2023 at Criminal Court “C” in the presence of both the prosecutors and defense lawyers.
On May 18, 2023, the defendants in the US$100 million cocaine case have today, Thursday, May 182021 been found not guilty by the empaneled Jury of the Criminal Court “C” in the Liberian capital.
This case, which is said to be Liberia’s biggest narcotic drug case, resulted from the TRH Trading shipment of the drugs from Brazil to the country, with the jury finally handing down their verdict.
Four persons were indicted by the government in connection with the shipment of the cocaine and they have been tried on multiple charges including criminal conspiracy, money laundering, unlicensed possession of controlled drugs and unlicensed importation of controlled drugs.
Meanwhile, the Defense lawyers also excepted to that potion of the Criminal Court Judge’ ruling, waiving all other monies associated with this Case, and gives notice that the Defense will take advantage of the Laws controlling.
The exceptions of the Defense Team was noted by the Court.
Clerk’s Report:
Your Honor, I have line by line and paragraph by paragraph recorded the
aforesaid Mandate, thereby making it a cogent part of today’s sitting and record. And submits.
The Court headed by its resident Judge Blamo Dixon said, in view of the freport of the Clerk of Court, Counselor Frank Musa Dean
Jr., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Republic of Liberia and also Dean of the Honorable Supreme Court of the Republic of Liberia is hereby ordered to bring to the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Court “C” for Montserrado County, Republic of Liberia, the total amount of US$113,000.00 on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 3:00PM for onward transmission to the Defendants by and thru their Legal Counsels.
All other monies associated with the above entailed cause of action are hereby waived.
GIVEN UNDER MY HANDS AND SEAL OF
COURT THIS 1st DAY OF JUNE A. D. 2023
- Blamo Dixon
RESIDENT CIRCUIT JUDGE PRESIDING
CRIMINAL COURT “C” FOR MONTSERRADO
COUNTY.
Prosecution in response to the mandate maintained that To which ruling relative to the Mandate and the addendum made by Your Honor and this Honorable Court, one of Counsels for Prosecution excepts and informs Your Honor that Prosecution will take advantage of the law controlling by filing a bill of information to the Honorable Supreme Court of the Republic of Liberia.