Monrovia- Amid a motion filed by the Ministry of Justice to the Civil Law Court at the Temple of Justice for a change of venue in a US$250,000 theft case filed by three Koreans against the Government of Liberia by and thru the Ministry, lawyers representing the three foreign nationals have accused state lawyers of trying to deploy a delay tactics ahead of the start of the case.
The two lawyers indicated during hearing on the motion Tuesday that the defendant, the Ministry of Justice has repeatedly demonstrated bad faith with the intend to delay and frustrate attempt by the plaintiff to get justice and this is evidenced by the manner and form in which the motion for Change of Venue was filed barely 12 hours to the commencement of the case.
“Your honor the defendant has repeatedly demonstrated bad faith with the intent to delay and frustrate the attempt of the plaintiff to obtain justice and this is evidenced by the manner and form in which the motion for Change of Venue was filed” said the two plaintiff’s lawyer.
Attys. Abraham Sillah and Mark Marvel who are from the Heritage Partner and Associates made the allegation at the hearing of a motion filed by the Ministry of Justice to the Civil Law Court asking the court for a Change of Venue from Monrovia to any of the counties of their choice which is still unannounced.
Commenting on the hearing of the motion plaintiff’s lawyers also told the court that the defendant did filed and served a motion for change of Venue in the proceeding on June 20, 2016 at about 4:05 and the plaintiff lawyer filed a subsequent resistance to said motion and served on the defendant and called on the court to hear the motion since the motion and resistance were before the court.
While the defense lawyers represented by the Ministry of Justice also told the court that since the said motion for Change of venue was pending before the court there was the need to dispose of before proceeding with the hearing of the case
The presiding Judge of the court having listened keenly to the submission of the defendant and its resistance from the plaintiff ruled to proceed with hearing of the motion for Change of Venue.
Arguing the motion in the interest of the defendant Tuesday, Assistant Justice Minister for Litigation Cllr, Augustine Fayiah indicated that the request for Change of Venue was cardinal for the defendant because there has been a series of publications that have been done on the case in Monrovia an action that has the propensity to influence the jurors.
The two plaintiff lawyers opposed the Change of Venue of the trial from Monrovia to any other areas will cost them huge financial burdens on ground that they have to rent hotel for the plaintiffs who have arrived from Korea to Liberia for the trial.
Following the pros and cons of the argument Judge Yussif Kaba ruled and told the parties that the court legal citations and argument was noted and the court has set Friday, June 24, 2016 at 10:00 am.
“The legal citations and argument are noted the court shall on the motion on the 24th day of June 2016 at the hour of 10:00 am” said Judge Yussif Kaba
The three Koreans Chae Dae Young, Choi Jung Woo, Chakwang Woon and Aleck Gold and Al who have come in the country to explore business opportunities were arrested by agents of the National Security Agency in July 2014 (NSA) and allegedly robbed of US$284,000.00.
Kennedy L. Yangian kennnedylyangian@frontpageafricaonline,com