By: Contributing Writer
Monrovia – Over 110 Inmates at various prison facilities across the country have filed a motion seeking the Dismissal of Charges against them over Prolonged Detention without Trial.
The Inmates filed a consolidated motion against the Ministry of Justice, citing prolonged detention without indictment or trial before the resident Circuit Judge of Criminal Court ‘A’ County Roosevelt Willie.
The motion was brought by the Public Interest Law and Advocacy Center on behalf of the inmates who have been allegedly detained at the Monrovia Central Prison for years without trial.
The petitioners claimed that they have spent between two to seven years behind bars without formal charges being brought against them or any legal proceedings conducted.
The motion further states that the Ministry of Justice, acting on behalf of the Republic, has cited neither reasonable nor justifiable cause for their failure to indict or prosecute the defendants.
As a result, the motion argues that the continued detention of these individuals violates their constitutional right to a speedy trial under Article 21 f & h of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia.
The motion cites Section 18.2 of the Criminal Procedure Law, which mandates dismissal of charges against any defendant not indicted by the next succeeding court term following their arrest—unless good cause is shown.
Majority of the defendants expected to be released are mostly alleged notorious armed robbers and murders.
