Monrovia, Liberia – Criminal Court “C” at the First Judicial Circuit, Montserrado County, has denied the application of indictee and former Commerce Minister Mawine G. Diggs seeking permission to travel outside Liberia for medical treatment following the completion of an independent medical assessment ordered by the Court.
A release signed by Joseph F. Daniels Public Relations Officer of the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce says the decision follows an earlier directive from the Court requiring an independent local medical institution to assess Ms. Diggs’ medical condition and advise whether treatment abroad was medically necessary. The assessment was subsequently conducted and submitted to the Court for consideration. According to the assessment, there was insufficient objective medical evidence to establish that overseas medical treatment was medically necessary at this time, and the Court accordingly denied the application.
The release stated that the Court further instructed Ms. Diggs to continue to comply with the conditions of her Criminal Appearance Bond and the writ of Ne Exeat Republica previously issued in the matter.
“The application arose from the Rural Women Empowerment Funds case currently before the Court. The matter involves allegations relating to the misappropriation of approximately US$493,669.38 and LRD$190,345,028.26 intended for rural women empowerment initiatives. Eight individuals have been indicted in connection with the case and face charges including theft of property, economic sabotage, misapplication of entrusted property, and criminal conspiracy” the release said.
AREPT says it welcomes the Court’s reliance on an independent medical assessment as part of the judicial process. The Taskforce has consistently maintained that applications for medical travel leave should be supported by sufficient medical evidence and that available local medical alternatives should be fully considered before foreign treatment is authorized.
AREPT says it remains committed to respecting the judicial process and ensuring that all matters before the courts are handled in accordance with due process, fairness, and the rule of law.
AREPT furthered that it remains steadfast in its mandate to investigate, prosecute in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, and recover public assets for the benefit of the Liberian people while respecting the constitutional rights of all parties before the courts.
