Monrovia – The Government of Liberia through its Solicitor-General, Sayma Syrenius Cephus has announced that the Government is expected to shortly drop all charges against Mr. Alexander B. Cummings, and others for ‘forgery and criminal conspiracy’ brought against them by the All Liberian Party ( ALP).
In a statement issued on Friday, Solicitor-General Cephus said there was no reason to further adjudicate the case following the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of the Unity Party and the ALP to field a candidate in the Lofa County Senatorial Bi-Election.
The ALP of Benoni Urey sued Mr. Cummings and his party’s hierarchy for allegedly altering the CPP framework document inserting an illegal exit clause that bar breakaway member of the CPP from contesting in any election until 2024. The case has been lingering at the Monrovia City Court for months.
However, in the wake of the High Court’s ruling in favor of the UP and ALP in a separate case that borders on the same exit clause, the Chief Prosecutor, in a lengthy statement under the title, “Why All Criminal Charges Are Dropped Against Alexander B. Cummings and Others “Without Prejudice to the State,” stated that amid the Supreme Court’s ruling, “the excitement and the will power to vigorously prosecute the Cummings’ case and ensure that justice, whether “CONVICTION or ACQUITTAL” is achieved, have strangely fallen on ice.”
Sayma Syrenius Cephus: “Pursuant to the Supreme Court’s interpretation, and being a Liberian citizen who has practiced and continues to practice before this court of last resort, I find it absolutely difficult if not impossible to delude myself of the fact that when the court speaks on any issue of law whether directly or indirectly, as in the case of Alexander B. Cummings, every other major or auxiliary issue appertaining thereto becomes legally shallow or moot and somewhat difficult if not impossible to litigate.”
He continued: “That said, the excitement and the will power to vigorously prosecute the Cummings’ case and ensure that justice, whether “Conviction or Acquittal” is achieved, have strangely fallen on ice. Therefore, I am constrained to highlight the compelling need of calling a spade a spade, end the trial and drop any and all criminal charges against defendants Alexander B. Cummings and his lieutenants without prejudice to the state and with the right to re-file where applicable. In so doing, let me refresh and drill your mind through some of the actions in court for the last five (5) months in prosecuting a “misdemeanor” and why such a decision has become an alternative to serve as a form of a respite rather than an absolute relief.”
