Lawyer demands dismissal of 255 armed robbery cases

Armed robbery is a non-bailable crime in Liberia which makes prosecutors keep suspects in pre-trial detentions while awaiting their trial.

By Kruah Thompson 

A Liberian public defense lawyer Cllr. Sany Carlus has filed a motion demanding the dismissal of 255 armed robbery cases due to prosecutors’ failure to try the cases.

Filing the motion on Thursday, 29 February 2024, Cllr. Carlus asked the court to dismiss the cases and release the defendants on grounds that the state had refused and neglected to prosecute the defendants in keeping with the law.

According to Cllr Carlus, the defendants have been detained for four court terms without being indicted to face trial against their constitutional rights.

The public defense lawyer argued that such prolonged detention without legal action infringes upon the defendants’ constitutional rights, particularly Article 21 (h) of the 1986 Liberian Constitution.

He said the law guarantees the right to a speedy trial and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

Furthermore, the motion stated that the prosecution’s failure to progress with the trial suggests a lack of evidence or a weak presumption of guilt, thus bolstering the defendants’ claim of innocence.

In their appeal to the court, the Movants seek the dismissal of the charges against them and implore the court to grant any other remedies deemed fair and just under the law.