The Civil Society Network of Liberia (CSNL) has lauded the ruling of Criminal Court “A” Judge, His Honor Cllr. Roosevelt Z. Willie, against Cllr. Johnny Momoh’s petition for summary proceedings in the case Republic of Liberia by and thru Marie Nellon and Cllr. J. Johnny Momoh. On Tuesday, June 6, 2023, Judge Willie ruled that Magistrate Ernest F. Bana of the Brewerville Magisterial Court was right to have denied Cllr. Momoh’s petition for transfer of hearings into the case.
It can be recalled that on May 16, 2023, Cllr. Momoh filed a petition for summary proceedings at Criminal Court “A” against Magistrate Ernest F. Bana on ground that the crime of theft of property in the amount of US$575,385.00 and L$80,000.00 is only triable in the circuit court.
“A careful review of Judge Roosevelt Willie’s ruling by the Civil Society Network of Liberia in the Cllr. Johnny Momoh petition for summary proceedings shows that Cllr. Momoh imposed a greater charge on himself for the sole purpose of transferring the case to the circuit court. Cllr. Momoh and his lawyers criminally included the crime of ‘theft of property’ in their bail bond with the intent of transferring the case from the Brewerville Magisterial Court to the circuit court; thereby delaying and baffling the case. A copy of the lawsuit filed by Madam Marie Nellon’s lawyers against Cllr. Johnny Momoh at the Brewerville Magisterial Court included domestic violence, felonious restraint and criminal coercion. In fact, according to the writ issued from the Magisterial Court, it carries the crimes of domestic violence, felonious restraint and criminal coercion, and not theft of property,” a CSNL press release stated.
“We once more commend Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie for upholding the rule of law by denying Cllr. Johnny Momoh’s criminal and devilish actions, which do not conform to law. The Civil Society Network of Liberia supports Judge Willie’s argument that Cllr. Momoh’s heartless action of ousting Madam Nellon out of the house, which they both resided in and throwing all of her belongings, to include clothes, shoes, jewelries and cash, out of the house in the public domain does not amount to theft of property. Cllr. Momoh’s action was a reckless and irresponsible display of domestic violence, felonious restraint and criminal coercion.
“Cllr. Johnny Momoh should understand that Judge Roosevelt Willie’s ruling was a dent in his defense of the crimes against him, and marks the beginning of justice for Madam Marie Nellon. The Almighty God that Cllr. Momoh greatly hates will ensure that Madam Nellon gets justice. Cllr. Momoh was arrested for the crimes of domestic violence, felonious restraint and criminal coercion in the amount of US$575,385.00 and L$80,000.00, and not for theft of property. Sensing his guilt for these crimes, he unilaterally included theft of property to divert from the case. We are delighted that Judge Willie has ruled to refer the case back to the Brewerville Magisterial Court for hearings and adjudication.
“While the Civil Society Network of Liberia commends Magistrate Ernest Bana of the Brewerville Magistrate Court for implementing the law accordingly, as he resumes jurisdiction of the case, Republic of Liberia by and thru Marie Nellon and Cllr. J. Johnny Momoh, we urge him to carry on a speedy and impartial hearing. We want to reiterate that Cllr. Momoh has caused too much psychological and emotional distress for this Liberian Lady. He fought to eliminate Madam Nellon through the use of ‘juju’ because of her constant worship and prayers to God on a daily basis. She truly deserves justice. We will continue to stand with Madam Nellon by advocating until she gets justice,” the release continued.