Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia is expected to release on today, November 4, 2024, Ibrahim Khalil Sherif, a Guinean accused of attempting to overthrow the current Guinean junta President Mamady Duomunyah.
Judge Willie’s decision will be in line with the Supreme Court Chambers Justice’s mandate, ordering him to have jurisdiction over the matter- to release the Guinean who has been in jail for some months.
Recently, the Supreme Court Chambers Justice, Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay issued a command to Judge Willie to stop all proceedings related to the case of Sherif, who is accused of planning to overthrow the Government of Guinea.
On September 24, 2024, Judge Willie ruled against a bail to suppress evidence in the trial which was based on the seriousness of the charges and the need to maintain regional security and stability.
Based upon arguments from Sherif’s lawyers led by Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus, claiming insufficient evidence and unlawful arrest, the Judge determined there was probable cause for the charges against the defendant.
Per the court’s order, prosecuting attorneys were given 72 hours to surrender all evidence to include weapons and cash seized from Sherif. However, the Supreme Court Associate Justice Gbeisay halting all proceedings based on a release order by Judge Willie to set the defendant temporarily free due to the insufficiency of evidence adduced in court.
The Chambers Justice scheduled a hearing for October 18, 2024, to look into the matter. Defendant Sherif who is facing several charges including Armed Insurrection, had been appealing for release with the support of prominent Liberians serving as human sureties.
But evidence presented by the Ministry of Justice, including cash and a list of supposed arms receipts, raised doubts and prompted Judge Willie to order the defendant release on two separate occasions and it was interrupted by state lawyers who ran to Justice Gbeisay and later halted the proceedings. The defendant is charged with Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Solicitation, Armed Insurrection and Paramilitary Activities.
By T.Q. Lula Jaurey
