Judge Wants More Security to End CBL Theft Case

New Democrat (Monrovia)

Peter N. Toby

17 May 2011

Citing security reasons, Judge Blamo Dixon of Criminal Court ‘C’ Monday postponed the much publicized L$7.6m theft case involving 13 employees at the Central Bank of Liberia to Tuesday, 17 May 2011.

Following the final arguments between state prosecutors and defense counsel, the judge told the open court that he would not allow the jury to give their verdict until security was provided for the court.

“I will not discharge the jurors today because when I get through with them, it will be too late for the verdict. Moreover, we need more security presence here. I need protection, likewise the Jurors, as well as the defense and prosecution teams, before the verdict,” he said.

The court had set Monday, 16 May 2011, as the day for the long overdue verdict and judgment in the CBL theft case involving 13 of the bank’s employees who were accused of stealing LD7.6 million from the bank.

The judge cited Angel Togba’s murder case, which was characterized by huge security presence, adding that his life and those of other court officials were threatened.

“We need more security presence here in order to make this place safe for everyone. I’ll take 3 hours to discharge the jurors today. After that, they will go in the room for the verdict,” he concluded.

But the lead defense lawyer, Arthur Johnson, expressed disappointment over the judge’s decision to bring in more police officers.

Meanwhile, lead prosecutors Cllr. J. Baku Mulbah told the court and jurors that they have proven their case against the 13 defendants, while the defense team, led by Arthur Johnson, said the state did not prove its case against the defendants.

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