Judge Jallah Grants ANC SG Leave

The Judge of the Monrovia City Court at the Temple of Justice, Jomah Jallah, has granted a brief relief to the Secretary General of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Atty. Alloycious Toe, to sit the Supreme Court Bar’s Exam as provided by law.

Judge Jallah action came after lawyers representing ANC Political Leader, Alexander Cummings, prayed the court to grant Atty. Toe a brief voluntary absence in keeping with section 2.4 of the Criminal Procedure Law. The essence of this request is to allow Atty. Toe sit the Supreme Court Bar’s exam.

The Judge on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, mentioned that if he does not allow the defendant submit his file to the Supreme Court Bar’s exam, it will be a disrespect to the High Court which is the head of all judgements in all proceedings.

He revealed that the Supreme Court of Liberia is the head of the Judicial Branch of Government and all courts under its jurisdiction are obliged to follow its orders and mandate.

Judge Jallah said the statute authorises courts to take judicial notice of the law; judicial notice of the Constitution and judicial notice of Public Defendants; adding that section 2.4 of the criminal law provides that the defendant absent is not required during the making or hearing of ruling in any motion or application addressed to the court.

“Therefore in view of the foregoing, the application made by council for defendant is hereby granted, and the council for defendant is hereby ordered to resist the motion filed by prosecution,” the Judge ruled.

For their part, lawyers representing the Government of Liberia also prayed the court that the defendant application should be denied and defendant (Atty. Toe) should be held for bill-jumping for not appearing in court after been served with an assignment.

Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus explained that Alexander Cummings, Alloycious Toe and Daniel Naateh are jointly charged so they can not be separated in criminal proceedings when the defendants have already pleaded to the writ and joined issue with the State.

The judge suspended trial pending notice of assignment.