The Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice on Thursday ordered the arrest of Cllr Joseph Kollie over the exit of ex-GT Bank managing director Ayodeji Bejide, who left the country without
the knowledge of state prosecutors, the Insurance Company of Africa and the lawyer representing him in an assault case.
Presiding Judge Roosevelt Willie’s decision was based upon the failure of Cllr Kollie to have the defendant brought back to Liberia to face the charges levied against him after accused Bejide left the country.
He said the court has no alternative but to have Cllr Kollie arrested.
Judge Willie further stated that the ex-GT Bank official left the country in October 2018 unknown to state lawyers, after a petition for a writ of Ne Exeat Republica was granted by the Monrovia City Court to prevent the defendant from leaving the country.
The same Magistrate Court granted him leave to seek medical treatment through the approval of Cllr Kollie.
Judge Willie pointed out that since the defendant left the country for three weeks it has been over five months now and he has not returned, noting that the defendant was not fair enough or did not do justice to himself by living up to his promise.
Judge Willie therefore held Cllr Kollie in contempt, and ordered that he be brought before the court to show cause why he should not be held in contempt, adding that Cllr. Kollie is also held liable to produce the defendant before open court.
Meanwhile, the Insurance Company of Africa has filed an application to revoke the defendant’s surety bond, but the Court rejected the request and instructed the insurance company along with the defense lawyer to help state lawyers through INTERPOL to have the defendant arrested and brought back to Liberia.
The Government of Liberia is working to extradite the defendant through an international arrest warrant.
The Montserrado County Attorney said if they fail to bring the ex-bank director to face criminal prosecution, all those who aided his departure from the country, including his lawyers, will be apprehended consistent with law.
It can be recalled that the GT Bank ex-managing director Bejide on August 28, 2018 allegedly assaulted one of his staff, Edward Freeman, during an argument, causing Freeman to sustain serious injury.
Defendant Bejide has been indicted by the Grand Jury of Montserrado County to face trial.
Cllr Kollie will be arrested on Monday, March 4, as per the order of Judge Willie, the court said.
LINA