Testing The Justice System: Cummings Vs. Urey
Members of the main opposition Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) have put the justice system under President George M. Weah’s administration to the test by dragging each other to court and seeking redress over issues that cannot be settled by themselves.
The Chairman of the Liberty Party (LP), a constituent party of the CPP, Musa Hassan Bility, who supports the CPP candidacy of the Standard Bearer of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Alexander B. Cummings, has said that the case between the All Liberian Party (ALP), headed by Benoni Urey, and Cummings is a test for the justice system under the Weah administration.
According to him, they believe that justice can still be achieved at the courts; as such, they expected nothing less than justice in the matter. Bility, who was flanked by a number LP partisans, argued that the allegations against Cummings have no basis, and so he was of the conviction that Cummings would walk away a free man.
Meanwhile, the Monrovia City Court Judge, Joma Jallah, has released the Political Leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Alexander Cummings, on a Criminal Appearance Bond, after his appearance on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 to face a writ of arrest issued by the court.
Cummings appeared at the Temple of Justice with huge supporters, sympathizer and members of the ANC. He appeared with his team of lawyers, to include Cllr. Lafayette Gould and Cllr. Alloysius Toe, alongside Liberty Party’s Chairman, Musa Bility, after which he was informed by the court about his alleged crime of criminal conspiracy and forgery.
Cummings, however, in open court denied having any link or idea to the allegations levied by Urey’s ALP, which prompted Judge Jallah to release him on ground that he had secured the required bond.
The Solicitor General of the Republic of Liberia and Chief Prosecutor of government, Cllr. Sayma Serenius Cephus, was spotted in the court during the proceeding.
Speaking to newsmen moments after Cummings’ release, Cllr. Cephus said, “Cummings is an honorable man, and should not be treated ordinarily because he has secured a bond. He is free to go anywhere.” Cephus also pointed out that the essence of the bond is to ensure Cummings’ day-to-day appearance.
Following his release Tuesday, Cummings lauded his supporters and those who stood by him at the court. He said it has been his intention to see the situation surrounding the framework document settled.
It can be recalled that on Monday, January 3, 2022 Cummings was ordered arrested by the Monrovia City Court for alleged crimes of criminal conspiracy and forgery following a complaint filed by the All Liberian Party’s Benoni W. Urey.