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Liberia: Govt Challenges 'Cocaine Ship' Bail - Seeks US$500M Bail Bond
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The Analyst (Monrovia)
6 March 2008
Posted to the web 6 March 2008
George J. Boteh
A motion to set aside the Criminal Appearance Bond filed by Counsel of the defendants who were arrested by the Liberian government for the crime of unauthorized possession and trafficking of narcotic drugs has provided a space in court and has been argued upon by both prosecution and defense lawyers.
The argument which took place at the Monrovia City Court at the Temple of Justice witnessed both lawyers hammering home their points before the new Magistrate who replaced Milton D. Taylor who was dismissed by President Sirleaf.
Taking the stand to argue his case, State lawyers led by Atty. Tamba Gbori told the court that the bond filed by the counsels for the defendants is insufficient and that it (bond) should doubled the amount.
Defense lawyers headed by Cllr. Charles Abdullah recently filed a criminal appearing bond valued at L$200,000 to seek the release of their clients.
The State lawyers also argued that the court sets aside the bond and have all the defendants re-arrested or those who have connection be arrested until said defendants can be brought to court.
Some times ago, the Liberian government arrested over six Ghanaians on board a ship loaded with cocaine. They were confined later released on L$200,000 Criminal Appearance Bond.
The defendants are believed to be residing in their country upon the filing of the L$200,000 bond at the Monrovia City Court by their lawyers. But prosecution argued that the defendants have committed a crime and the value of the narcotic drugs is higher than the amount paid as bond.
They argued that the amount be doubled to fit the crime committed. This argument the defendant lawyers headed by Cllr. Charles Abdullah says the constitution frowned on as an accessing bail.
He called on the court to deny the Prosecution's exception and argued that said exception is to deny the court's precious time.
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Cllr. Abdullah argued further that the call for his clients to double the L$200,000 as requested by prosecution is a travesty of justice and prayed the court to throw said motion through the window.The court reserved ruling into the motion filed by the state pending notice of assignments.
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