After ordering the release of Ibrahim Khalil Sheriff from the Monrovia Central Prison (South Beach) on bail bond by Court “A” Judge Roosevelt Willie on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, the Chambers Justice at the Supreme Court, Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, has commanded Judge Willie to halt all process in connection with the mercenarism case.
The Chamber Justice’s action came as a result of state lawyers taking exception and filing a petition for a Writ of Prohibition seeking to block Judge Willie’s order to release the Guinean who is alleged of wanting to overthrow the current Guinean President. Justice Gbeisay wants Judge Willie to stop all proceedings in the matter until the case is heard on October 18, 2024, between the parties.
On October 8, 2024, Judge Willie immediately ordered the Clerk of Court J. Gabriel Smith to release the Sheriff from detention based on five prominent Liberians which include two renowned lawyers namely: former Associates Justice Mohammed Kabenah Ja’neh and Cllr. Amara Sheriff, standing as human sureties for the Guinean to be released.
According to our judicial reporter, Judge Willie’s action was due to lack of sufficient evidence proffered to the court by prosecuting attorneys who presented a flying sheet of paper and some monies to the court.
Recently, authorities from the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Police were summoned by Judge Willie for failure to present to court oral and documentary evidence seized from the Guinean for reportedly attempting to overthrow the current Guinean President Mamady Doumuyah.
But, the government through the Ministry of Justice on October 1, 2024, presented pieces of evidence to include cash in the tone of US$2,202 and Guinea Fran $171,500 plus LD$940 along with what is appeared to be a sheet or paper with items listed perceived as receipts of arms to be purchased by defendant Ibrahim Khalil Sheriff.
The sheet or paper in the hand writing of Defendant Sheriff for which state lawyers see as one major evidence to prosecute him was shortlisted as follows: AK-47-300 for one x 40, LAR-R-450 for one x 19, PKM-600 for one x7, RPGT-1000 for one x 9 and monthe-1500 for one x4, among other items.
With this, it seemed like the prosecuting attorneys indict people on hearsay basis and don’t go after the main issues, according to our judicial reporter.
Based upon this, Judge Willie on Monday, September 30, 2024, heard the bail of information and subsequently ruled that the Minister of Justice N. Oswald Tweh, Cllr. Augustine C. Fayiah, Solicitor General of Liberia and Montserrado County Attorney, Richard Scott and Simeon Frank of the Liberia National Police appeared to give reasons while the evidence had not been presented to court.
Prior to the above, Judge Willie’s 72 hours expired on Friday, 28, 2024, placing state lawyers in a position of not having any piece of oral or documentary evidence to present before the court. Since the denial of the mercenary motions to bail and suppress evidence, prosecuting attorneys failed to meet up with the Criminal Court “A” Judge’s 72 hours deadline to surrender all military documents including US$150,000 seized from the Guinean National Ibrahim Khalil Sherif.
Recently, state securities announced the arrest and subsequent detention of Khalil for reportedly planning to overthrow the current military government of Guinea leader Mamady Doumbuyah through the border between Liberia and Guinea. The defendant is charged with multiple crimes ranging from Mercenarism, Armed Insurrection, Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Solicitation, and Paramilitary Activities.
The Judge said considering the laws stated, the case involves national and regional security and the safety of the defendant. The Judge in his ruling prevented prosecuting lawyers from extraditing the defendant back to Guinea or any other country without the legal determination in Liberia.
