Uncertainty looms over whether Unity Party (UP) Political Leader, Ambassador Joseph Boakai, will appear as summoned to testify for the state in the on-going trial of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) Standard Bearer, Alexander Cummings, who is charged with alleged alteration of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) framework document.
Report reaching the desk of the Hot Pepper is that Ambassador Boakai allegedly prevented court officers from serving him the writ of subpoena ad testificandum over the weekend, issuing strict instructions to his bodyguards not to allow any Sheriff to enter his Du-Port Road residence.
Last week, the Magistrate of the Monrovia City Court, Jomah Jallah, granted a request by state prosecutors, led by the Solicitor General, Cllr. Sayma Serenius Cephus, to have Ambassador Boakai appear on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 to testify for the state against the ANC Political Leader, Cummings, its National Chairman, Daniel Naatehn, and Secretary General, Cllr. Aloysius Toe, for allegedly altering the CPP framework document. ANC officials have described the charges as bogus and politically motivated in an attempt to thwart Cummings’ 2023 presidential bid.
Ambassador Boakai’s requested appearance and subsequent unconfirmed refusal to appear and testify in the case has baffled many Liberians as to why he ordered his bodyguards to obstruct the process of justice.
There are speculations that Ambassador Boakai’s deteriorating health condition is a major reason for his dismissivet posture, fearing that he cannot endure the long, rigorous and tedious process of testifying and undergoing cross-examination by ANC’s defense lawyers, while others argue that for him to appear and testify for the state would be the worst political miscalculation, as he could perjure himself. Still, some party insiders have been adamant that Boakai should ignore the court and submit to the fine for contempt of court.
Several social media posts have cautioned the ailing ex-Vice President from appearing to testify, without considering the legal implications his non-appearance could have on the case, reportedly trumped up by the Political Leader of the All Liberian Party (ALP), Benoni Urey, who has been accused of being used by the ruling CDC government of President George Weah to prevent Cummings’ participation in the October 2023 general and presidential elections. Many Unity Party partisans are also fearing that state prosecutors may be setting a trap for Ambassador Boakai; as such, advised that he avoids testifying at all costs.
Apologists of Cummings have described the ANC Political Leader as the most formidable, visionary, and competent presidential candidate for the 2023 election, who has vowed and seemingly committed to instituting real and genuine change in improving the economic wellbeing of the Liberian people.
Last week, ANC defense lawyers completed the cross-examination of the first state witness, Theodore Momo, after a month-long testimony at the Monrovia City Court, Temple of Justice. Witness Momo is the National Chairman of the All Liberian Party of Benoni Urey.
The Unity Party Political Leader, Boakai is the next witness for the state, but his decision to appear and testify remains unconfirmed.
