Heritage<\/a> (Monrovia)<\/p>\n27 December 2011<\/p>\n
\nReports gathered by this paper suggest that the Secretary General of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change is expected in Court today, Tuesday to answer to multiple charges including sedition. Police in Monrovia last week charged Mr. Gray with sedition in addition to theft of property criminal facilitation, aggravated assault and rioting amongst others in connection with the violent street protest by students of the vacation job scheme. The Students stage two days (Thursday and Friday) of violent demonstration in Monrovia and its immediate environs demanding payment of their wages.<\/p>\n
The vacation job students threw stones and attacked government vehicles to protest what they called government “delay tactics” in paying their wages.<\/p>\n
In Sinkor and Bushrod Island, according to our reporter, the students set fire to tires and threw stones at government vehicles.<\/p>\n
Mr. Gray stands accused of inciting the students through loud speakers, and hiring people to cause confusion in the city. This accusation prompted Mr. Gray arrested and subsequent detention.<\/p>\n
The CDC Secretary general, who has now been released, was arrested last Friday after street protest by the students enters a second day.<\/p>\n
It is not clear what triggered his release from prison Sunday but outside the prison gates, his supporters jubilated over his release.<\/p>\n
Mr. Gray’s arrest and subsequent release from prison followed two days of violent demonstration by vacation job students demanding wages.<\/p>\n
At the same time, outgoing information Minister Cletus Sieh disclosed that a writ of arrest has been issued by the Monrovia City Court for the Mobilization Chairman of the CDC, Mr. Mulbah Morlu.<\/p>\n
Mr. Morlu, former Minister Sieh said allegedly made untrue and derogatory remarks against President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.<\/p>\n
He further stated that the CDC’s Mobilization Chairman allegedly threaten to cut-off the voting fingers of citizens that participated in the presidential run-off election.<\/p>\n
Minister Sieh however called on Mr. Morlu to turn himself over to government.<\/p>\n
He indicated that the two accused men (Mr. Morlu and Mr. Gray) have the opportunity to exonerate themselves through the court system.<\/p>\n
Also speaking to reporters at the grounds of the Temple of Justice, Counselor Cyrennius Cephas who represented Mr. Gray in court observed that the arrest and detention of the Montserrado county Representative-elect was pre-meditated.<\/p>\n
He termed as “unprecedented” the presence of the Security Advisor to the President Boima Fahnbulleh in court during the trial.<\/p>\n
He said the court was totally out of its jurisdiction when the Judge of the Magistrate Court at the Temple of Justice called the case 5:30PM.<\/p>\n
He said according to laws, magistrate court opens at 10AM and closes at 12 noon on Saturday.<\/p>\n
He disclosed that Mr. Gray was taken to prison in a critical condition.<\/p>\n
Cllr. Cephas, quoting Dr. Peter Coleman, said the CDC’s Chief Scribe was suffering from “elevated pressure” due to an alleged police brutality carried on during his arrest.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that his application for Mr. Gray to seek medical attention was dismissed by the Court.<\/p>\n
He further disclosed that the alleged crimes committed by Mr. Gray are all billable according to the judge of the Monrovia Magisterial Court.<\/p>\n
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