Monrovia-Melvin Tolbert, a personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) who is currently arrested and detained at the Edward Beyan Kesselly Barrack on the Robertsfield Highway after announcing his resignation from the force has filed a writ of habeas corpus to the Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice.
His lawyer Cllr. Charles Abdullai said in the writ of habeas corpus to the court that his client Tolbert was enlisted in the AFL with date not disclosed but according to the contract he was to serve for five years while enlisted.
Tolbert’s lawyer also told the court that he sustained an injury as a result of grenade blast while on training at the Sande Ware Military Barrack in Carresyburg on May 13, 2009 but was advised by a doctor at the John F. Kennedy Hospital to seek medical attention abroad.
Cllr. Abdullai continued that his client informed the Ministry of Justice about his medical attention abroad and no attention was given him which constrained him to resign since 2013 and turned over belongings of the AFL on April 15, 2016 thus ending his relationship with the AFL.
“Our client was later arrested by military police of the AFL and is languishing in the AFL withholding cell at the Edward Beyan Barrack up to the filing of the instrument” said Cllr. Abdullai.
He said that he has issued the writ of habeas corpus on behalf of his client Tolbert against the Minister of Justice, Cllr. Frederick Cherue, Defense Minister Brownie Samukai ,Solicitor General Betty Larmie Blamo, Chief of Staff among others.
Tolbert was taken to court on Tuesday under a special escort by military police officers of the Armed Forces but hearing of the writ was postponed to Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 2:00 pm.
Tuesday’s court appearance of AFL officer Tolbert was his first appearance at the court since his arrest by the AFL on May 31, 2016.
His lawyer Cllr. Abdullai says that his client arrested from May 31, 2016 up to the time he has filed the writ of habeas corpus on June 17, 2016 which is a violation of his constitutional rights as enshrined in the 1986 Constitution.
Kennedy L. Yangian [email protected]