By Fatima Kpaka
After the alleged assault on the Minister of Tourism Madam Nabilla Farida Tunis, former Minister of Finance Patricia Laverly has on several occasions refused to comply with the order of the magistrate to come to court to ensure the logical conclusion of the matter.
On Monday, December 9, 2024, she was to appear before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No2, but her defense counsel Leon Jenkinson Johnson informed the court t that on Friday, December 6, 2024, that they obtained an order from high court in respect of the medical condition of the accused allowing her to proceed to Ghana for medical attention.
He then applied for four weeks adjournment to execute the said order.
He also apologized to the court for not having the accused in court, adding that they hoped and prayed that upon her return, she would be fit to stand trial.
Lawyer Johnson further informed the court that they have a slight in-house situation and wish to change one of their sureties who has to travel out of the country due to unforeseen events.
State counsel in reply said they are constrained because they have not got the evidence and when orders are made they should be perfected and served on the court.
He noted that they are aware of the order from the high court but said that the court is in charge of the matter and that they should be served also, so the magistrate would be properly informed as to the next line of action. He said they knew that the high court had a supervisor decision over the magistrate court, but the right thing must be done.
Magistrate Bangura having listened to both sides, complied with the order from the high court and adjourned the matter to January 8, 2025. The application for a change of one of the sorties was also granted.