Monrovia – Calls for speedy trial of the Managing Director of the Guaranty Trust Bank (GT Bank) are intensifying with advocacy groups from around the country getting involved.
Report by Edwin G. Recently, the Liberia National Police arrested Ayodeji Bejide, GT Bank former MD for allegedly assaulting one of bank’s employees, Edward Freeman.
The act caught the attention of many Liberians and right groups after the video of the alleged act went viral on social media.
These right groups have been condemning and calling for the speedy prosecution of Bejide, a Nigerian national. One of such advocacy groups that have gotten involved calling for the speedy trial is “This Organization,” a group that the victim is a member of.
This Organization is a conglomeration of professionals founded in 2015 to seek the welfare of its members and the downtrodden in society.
The group’s chairman, E. Cosby Pelham, condemned what he termed “flagrant display of bigotry” and assault by Bejide.
He urged the government to speedily prosecute him.
“This Organization”, which also aims at contributing to the social and economic growth of Liberia through interactive and community services, described Freeman as a gentleman who possesses “integrity and respect for the rule of law.”
Pelham called on authorities of the Ministry of Justice to ensure speedy prosecution of the matter in keeping with law.
“No one person, in spite of social or economic status, should be subjected to assault, humiliation or any form of violence at the workplace,” he stressed.
‘This Organization’ lauded the government, through the police et al for the swift intervention for the arrest of the accused and subsequent preliminary investigation for onward prosecution.
Meanwhile, the group has challenged the Ministry of Labor to uncompromisingly enforce the Decent Work Act of Liberia, particularly section 14.3 (d) which reserves the most severe sanctions for persons who breach the fundamental rights of another employee or attack, batter, threaten, or intimidate his or her co-workers.
He assured that they are going to work along with the government through the Ministry of Justice to ensure that this matter is pursued to the very end where justice is served.