Africa-Press – Liberia. Under unusual security and restriction at the Temple of Justice, the former Vice President and standard-bearer of the former ruling Unity Party, Amb. Joseph Boakai, finally took the witness stand on Monday to testify to the alleged alteration of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) Framework Document.
Report by Victoria G. Wesseh, Contributing Writer
Looking at the copy of the document presented to him by the court while on the witness stand, Amb. Boakai who agrees with the ALP’s allegation against their ANC counterpart, Alexander Cummings, told the court that the document handed him was not Framework Document he signed on May 19, 2020, stating that what was presented to him was a photocopy. He contended that at the time the document was prepared, Senator Daniel Naathen was not the chairman of the CPP as indicated in the document.
Mr. Boakai, however, confirmed his signature on the document as genuine.
The former Vice President also said a team of lawyers was constituted by the four Political Parties Leaders of the CPP to make changes to the Framework Document.
According to him, five original copies of the CPP Framework Document were signed with a copy for each of the four constituent parties and one was forwarded to the National Elections Commission (NEC).
Boakai said after the Zoom signing of the CPP Framework Document, there were issues raised over job distributions, which warranted the review by the lawyers who proposed and made the changes in the Framework Document.
The former Vice President said the amended changes in the CPP framework document were also forwarded to a validation committee, but, he had since not seen the document, even though, he served as a member of the CPP National Advisory Committee.
Ten changes were reportedly made by the team of lawyers who were led by Cllr. Benedict Sannoh. They also made a presentation on the amendments to the political leaders of the CPP at the headquarters of the Liberty Party in Congo Town.
Mr. Boakai went on to disclose that the formation of the CPP was intended to reduce competition among the opposition political parties and to create a formidable force to unseat President George Weah in the 2023 presidential elections.
ANC Political Leader, Mr. Alexander Cummings, National Chairman, Daniel Naatehn, and Secretary-General, Counsellor Aloysius Toe are being tried for alleged alterations of the Collaborating Political Parties framework document. The three accused Alternative National Congress (ANC) stalwarts have adamantly denied the charges and described the protracted trial as bogus and politically motivated by the All Liberian Party of Mr. Benoni Urey in cohort with Unity Party Political Leader Joseph N. Boakai and President George Weah to thwart Mr. Cummings’ presidential bid in 2023.
Other witnesses expected to testify include Ahmed Modal Current National Chairman of the Unity Party; Liberty Party’s Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence who is expected to produce the original copy of the press statement issued in respect to the controversy regarding the CPP Framework Document, original copy of the letter written by the lawyers headed by Cllr. Benedict Sannoh, copies of NAC minutes in which Co-Defendant Alexander B. Cummings reportedly confessed to forging and altering the CPP Framework Document, and thereby, identify and testify to all and any material evidence that is germane to the case including the purported Framework Document that was filed by the ANC on behalf of the CPP.
Senator Steve Zargo, former chairman of the Liberty Party, Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, Jeremey Russell, Augustine Fredric, Wade Powell, among others are expected to testify.
Meanwhile, Defense Lawyers have requested for a brief voluntary leave of court for the ANC Political Leader and a week’s leave based on the doctor’s advice for Senator Naatehn.
State Prosecutors interposed objections to the defense lawyers’ request for voluntary leave for the two accused ANC officials, contending that the requests were not in good faith and intended to delay the trial.
The Monrovia City Court presided over by Magistrate Jomah Jallah, reserved ruling on the request for a voluntary leave of Mr. Cummings and medical absence of Mr. Naatehn. The trial continues tomorrow, May 17.
Cummings has repeatedly expressed his innocence and alleges that the trial is being influenced by the Weah-led government.
Mr. Cummings has hired the services of Cherie Blair CBE QC to lead an independent and internationally-staffed forensic investigation into the document tampering allegations made by the All Liberian Party (“ALP”), which form the basis of ongoing criminal proceedings.
Cherie Blair CBE, QC is the Founder and Chair of Omnia Strategy where she focuses on international arbitration, strategic international legal, and advisory work and practices as a barrister. She is a Queen’s Counsel and wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. With over 40 years of experience as a leading barrister specializing in public international law, human rights, employment law, arbitration, and mediation, Cherie has represented over 30 governments as well as numerous multinational corporations in international disputes. Through Omnia Strategy, Cherie advises clients on complex issues relating to international dispute resolution, investment treaties, corporate responsibility, and business & human rights, and government relations. She also represents clients as counsel in international arbitrations and legal cases.
According to the ANC, Mr. Cummings commissioned this independent investigation to provide an objective evaluation of the claims made by the ALP and the Government of Liberia.
The political party in a press release stated that “Throughout his corporate, philanthropic, and political career, at home and abroad and his recent political engagements in Liberia, Mr. Cummings has always been committed to high standards of integrity, honesty, probity, and transparency. These allegations are an attempt to question and undermine his values.”
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