[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]

GeneralLiberia news

Monie Captan in hot water with Court

--Judge Dixon demands retraction of demeaning comment

By Lincoln G. Peters 

Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) Board Chair Mr. Monie Captan is in a hot water with the court, as Criminal Court “C” Judge Blamo Dixon demands a retraction of a demeaning statement within 24 hours.

“I am saying this for all to hear it. Anyone … closer to Mr. Monie Captan, Chairman of the LEC should tell him to retract those negative comments that he made on OK FM,” Judge Dixon said Monday, 10 April 2023 at the opening of the February Term of Court.

Judge Dixon accused Mr. Captan of making a demeaning statement against his personality.

“I give him 24 hours ultimatum to proceed to OK FM and retract those negative comments. It will interest you to note that Mr. Captan is a former Minister of Foreign Affairs in Liberia,” Judge Dixon stated.

He however failed to state the negative comment made by Mr. Captan against his person.

Judge Dixon explained that recently, he heard from a source that Mr. Captan went on the airwaves, particularly OK FM, and made comments about a case that he disposed of long ago involving a man only identified as Victor. 

“I didn’t listen to him directly when he made those statements. But, someone told me after he made those negative comments [that] defendant Victor also went to OK FM and clarified and rebutted what Mr. Captan said,” Judge Dixon explained further.

[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]

According to Judge Dixon, there was a case some time ago concerning LEC for power thefts brought against one Victor Yuoh. He said he presided over that case from the beginning and put Victor on bond. 

The Judge said the defendant pleaded not guilty and he demanded a jury trial. However, he said the Supreme Court suspended jury trial because of COVID-19, so he had to wait until the COVID-19 crisis subsided. 

Judge Dixon explained that when the COVID-19 crisis subsided, the Supreme Court ordered the courts to reinstate jury trials.

“The case that was brought before the jurors after Victor Yuoh stayed in jail for two years for alleged power theft was involving an alleged amount of US$350,000,” said Judge Dixon. 

“Because of the alleged amount in the case, he could not raise a bond but the bond he raised, I signed and freed him. And the time I told him to come, he refused so I charged him with Bill Jumping and I put him in jail again and I went out of town for two years,” Judge Dixon detailed.

He stated that when he came back, he resumed the case. While in the case, he said the jurors came down with a not-guilty verdict in favor of Victor because they felt that there was no magnitude in the case.

“The amount [of] US$350,000 could not be established by LEC. The amount was speculative and it was also guessed by LEC and they could not provide evidence [to] prove the amount,” he noted.

The judge stated that under Liberian laws when you are working for a company and they accuse you of a criminal offense, it should be investigated.

After the entire investigation, he said you proceed to court to provide witnesses and go back to the company.

He narrated that because Mr. Captan doesn’t want to meet Victor, he went on OK FM to provide negative comments against him.

“He doesn’t know the magnitude and effect of those negative comments he made. However, anyone who is closer to him should please tell him to retract his statement or [he] will find issues with me,” Judge Dixon urged.

Meanwhile, Mr. Monie Captan is yet to respond to the allegations made against him. 

[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1] [bsa_pro_ad_space id=2] [bsa_pro_ad_space id=3] [bsa_pro_ad_space id=4] [bsa_pro_ad_space id=5] [bsa_pro_ad_space id=6]
Back to top button