TUBMANBURG, Bomi – Defense lawyers representing Abbas El Debes, a Lebanese businessman accused of human trafficking involving fifteen Liberian girls, risk being held in contempt for unjustifiable absences to the court.

During the last sitting, the court warned defense lawyers to avoid “flimsy” excuses and report promptly to trial proceedings to ensure a speedy and fair trial for their client.

Judge William Sando of Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court said the court was scheduled to rule on Sept. 18, whether the trial proceeds could be held “in camera,” closed to the public.

The prosecution had earlier requested that further proceedings be closed off to the public because the Sexual Offenses Act specifies that rape cases must be held privately.

Sando said the ruling could not happen because a defense counsel informed him of a vehicle breakdown around Klay Junction in Bomi.

“These excuses made by the defense counsel in the mind of the court do not have any legal ground to stop them from being in court,” Sando added.

He said the defense’s team of three lawyers could have selected one representative to hire a taxi to be present for the ruling.

Moving forward, Sando said any lawyer from either team making unreasonable excuses that are not supported by the law will be held in contempt by the court.

This would require the lawyer to pay a fine or be subject to jail time.

He emphasized the need for the defendant to have a free, fair and speedy trial.

“The court reluctantly grants the defense lawyer excuse and hopes that they will be in court on Monday, September 21, at 10:00 a.m. for the ruling,” Sando said.

Feature photo: Zeze Ballah