Monrovia– Days following pronouncement by the head of the presidential taskforce, Cllr. Fonati Koffa, in a recent FrontPageAfrica interview when he announced that the proceeding of the case will be done with camera posted in the courtroom, one of the lawyers for the defense has frowned on him for his recent assertion.
Report by Kennedy L. Yangian [email protected]
Under Liberian laws and practices, cameras and recording are forbidden in any court room.
During proceedings, cameras and recordings are only done during court openings which are marked by elaborate programs where lawyers make remarks and judges delivered their charges.
“That is part of transparent justice, the jury themselves will be aware that the public is watching, the international community live when the trial is going on, you will be able to go on the task force website and watch it on national television” said Cllr. Koffa.
Cllr. F. Musa Dean, one of the lawyers representing Cllr. Varney Sherman, said before such is done, it has to be done via an application to the court.
“This action is illegal and if the task force intends to carry out such action, there should be an application made to the court to get the defendants’ response but not mere pronouncement,” said Cllr. Dean.
Cllr Dean made the comment when he was quizzed by FrontPage Africa Tuesday on the grounds of the Temple Justice.
In May 24, 2015 the Presidential task force headed by Cllr. Fonati Kofa who is also Minister of State Without Profolio in the administration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf indicted former House Speaker Alex Tyler, Grand Cape Mount County Varney Sherman.
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