Monrovia – Indicted former Minister of Commerce, Miata Beyslow, who is due to shortly go on trial with several former government officials, is seeking a separate trial from Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of Justice.
The former Minister’s request comes ahead of her scheduled trial which is expected to take place during the May 2016 Term of Court which is few weeks away. Madam Beyslow and others are on a US$2m bail bond.
Madam Beyslow is charged with economic sabotage, misapplication of entrusted of property, criminal conspiracy, facilitation and violation of the Public Procurement Concession Commission’s (PPCC) procedures and processes.
Other former government officials indicted alongside Madam Beyslow are Steve Flahn Paye, then Director, Division of Price Analysis Marketing, Ministry of Commerce, T. Nelson Williams, former Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Corporation and Aaron Wheagar former Deputy Managing Director for Operations (LPRC).
Court record states that the defendants’ indictment has grown out of the sale and distribution of the Japanese oil grant valued at US$13,083,350.00 donated by the Japanese Government to the Government of Liberia.
“That during the period August 2011 and thereabout the named defendants acting jointly or severely in various capacities without the color of right and fear of God and in total violation of the law and with criminal and wicked intent to deprive the Government and People of Liberia of their just benefits and portion of proceeds required by the sales and distribution of the Japanese oil grant,” said part of the court’s indictment.
However, commenting on her trial along with the rest of the defendants coming up in May, defendant Beyslow through a motion filed to the Criminal Court “C”, told the court that she is a law abiding and patriotic citizen who has served her country home and abroad in several capacities and portfolios with honor, pride and distinction.
She told the court that she is one of the several defendants charged by the state with the other defendants but wants severance based on the ground that her defenses are in conflict with that of others.
“ Wherefore and in view of the foregoing facts and circumstances, co-defendant Miata Beyslow prays your honor and the court to grant her motion for severance, separate trial and all other relief as the court deems just and proper,” said Beyslow’s motion.
However, state lawyers have not given any formal response to the lone female defendant’s motion though by law the state prosecutors have the period of 10 –days to respond to the motion as required by law.
Following the state’s response to the motion, Judge Blamo Dixon will have to entertain an argument between the petitioner and that of the respondent to make a determination whether to grant her a severance or not.
Kennedy l. Yangian [email protected]
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