By Temple of Justice – Wilmot Smith, former Deputy Director at the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo Information Service (LISGIS), is asking Criminal Court “C” Judge Blamo Dixon to dismiss the indictment against him in the LISGIS corruption case. The indictment originally alleged that the government lost over US$1,795,000.
Smith’s attorney, Cllr. Arthur Johnson, argues for dismissal on the grounds that there has been no progress since Smith’s indictment in 2023.
Johnson contends that the delay breaches Smith’s constitutional right to a speedy trial, as guaranteed by Article 21(h) of the 1986 Constitution and Section 18.2 of Liberia’s Criminal Code.
These provisions are designed to prevent prolonged detention without trial, a right Johnson claims has been violated by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
Article 21(h) ensures the right to a speedy and impartial trial, while Section 18.2 mandates the dismissal of an indictment if a defendant is not tried within the next court term after indictment, barring any good cause.
Recent court documents reveal that the LACC has reduced the indictment amount from US$1,795,000 to US$128,198.64, with the adjustment signed by LACC’s chief prosecutor Cllr. Jerry D.K. Garlawolu and co-signed by Commissioners Oretha Snyder Davis and David A.B. Wilson.
The LACC alleged that between 2019 and 2022, former LISGIS officials misappropriated US$1,795,000 from an Ecobank account, involving suspicious transactions.
Smith was indicted along with other LISGIS officials on charges including economic sabotage, theft, and misapplication of funds.
Despite the indictment being transferred to Criminal Court ‘C’ in February 2023, it has remained unresolved after multiple court terms, prompting Smith’s request for dismissal. Smith’s legal team argues that the case’s inaction and lack of progress violate procedural timelines and rights.
