Indicted former Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) Executive Governor Milton A. Weeks has requested that the Criminal Court “C” dismiss government’s exception against his bail bond, arguing that the particular law that government relies upon is not valid.
In a motion to justify his sureties, Mr. Weeks argues that the law relied upon by the State, Chapter 15, Subchapter F., Economic Sabotage, Section 15.86, Penal Law, Liberian Code of Laws Revised, Title 26 is not a valid law because the Supreme Court of Liberia has declared it unconstitutional.
He filed the motion to justify his sureties this week after prosecutors here filed exception Thursday, 14 March against all five bonds separately filed by five former and current CBL officials including Charles Sirleaf, requesting that they be thrown back in jail until the full amount is paid.
The rest of the indictees are DorborHagba, Richard Walker and Joseph Dennis.
The five officials were arrested and initially incarcerated after the Presidential Investigative Team (PIT) set up by President George Manneh Weah to probe Liberia’s 16 billions scandal reported that analysis of the packing list submitted by the CBL to PIT actually reveals that LRD$18,151,000,000 was printed and shipped by co-defendant Crane Currency AB, instead of LRD$15,506,000,000 that the bank claimed to have received from the contracted firm.
The defendants are to give account for the printing of an excess amount of LRD$2,645,000,000 and address the payment of US$835,367.72 to the CBL’s hired firm, co-defendant Crane Currency AB for the printing of the excess amount.
The State says the defendants are required to file bonds in the tune of US$1,670,735.44 and LRD$5,290,000,000.00.
But Mr. Weeks’ lawyers informed the Court that there is no known law that requires pre-trial detainee to post a pre-trial bail bond in an amount that “double the gain” or double the amount alleged in the indictment, but not yet proved by the State as implicated in the crime charged.
Concerning co-defendant Weeks’ bond, the government says the combined value of the properties offered by the sureties Mr. Dewitt and Rhonda von Ballmoos, Benoni W. Urey and Atty. Angelique G. Eupheme Weeks, II, in the tune of US$909,319.88 “is grossly inadequate and insufficient.”
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Government says Mr. Weeks faces multiple charges including economic sabotage in the amount of US$835,367.72 and LRD$2,645,000,000.00.
But Weeks’ lawyers maintain that prosecution has not shown any sufficient legal reason for its allegation that the property valuation bond of nearly US$1.0 Million filed is insufficient as a matter of law.
According to the defense team, there are sufficient safeguards in place to secure his appearance when needed by the Court for the trial.
The defense team indicates that a Writ Ne Exit Republica issued by the Monrovia City Court remains in full force, banning Mr. Weeks and the rest of the defendants from travelling out of the country.
Further, the defense team says Weeks has complied and will continue to comply with the Court’s order by turning over his travelling documents including diplomatic and ordinary passports, report to the Sheriff as directed and remain in the jurisdiction of the Court.
By Winston W. Parley
