— Urges Judge Elliot to Expeditiously Dispense Justice
IPNEWS: The Civil Society Network of Liberia (CSNL) greatly welcomes decision by the Justice in Chambers of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Cllr. Jusu Kaba in declining to issue the writ of certiorari filed by Mr. Stanton Witherspoon of Spoon TV against the ruling of Civil Law Court Judge, Cllr. Kennedy Peabody in the Case: “Damages for Slander and Libel” filed against him by Mr. Wilmot Smith. The Writ filed by Spoon TV was an undercutting ploy intended to deny or evade justice.
The Civil Society Network of Liberia states that during the hearing of the case, it was discovered that Spoon TV obtained a fraudulent bond, misled the court and it was opened. The insurance company indicated by Spoon TV as the issuer of the bond filed a bill of information, informing the court that she did not issue the bond, as the company does not issue indemnity bond. Judge Peabody then rendered the bond fraudulent, and Spoon TV was given three days to file a new bond. Due to her failure to issue a valid bond, after the bond was declared fraudulent as attested to by the Insurance Company that issued the bond, Mr. Witherspoon filed the Writ of Certiorari before the Justice in Chambers of the Supreme Court to stop enforcement from the lower court.
Having reviewed the lower court’s decision, the Civil Society Network of Liberia believes Justice in Chambers, Cllr. Jusu Kaba decision to decline issuing the alternative of Certiorari filed by Mr. Witherspoon and his Spoon TV is in the interest of justice. It is commendable that Justice Kaba has mandated the lower court to resume jurisdiction of the case. The case must be heard for the dispensation justice. Over the years, Mr. Stanton Witherspoon has used his Spoon TV Show as a platform for spewing out lies and manufactured documents against the character of peaceful and innocent individuals for his personal aggrandizement. It is highly condemnable for Mr. Stanton Witherspoon to continuously use his Spoon TV as an avenue to make outlandish claims, intended to malign the reputation of individuals amd institutions. We are convinced that this case will serve as a precedent in discouraging Mr. Witherspoon from using his media network as a surrogate to damage the hard-earned reputation of persons and institutions.
Meanwhile, the Civil Society Network of Liberia calls on Judge Golda Bonnah Elliot to immediately resume hearing into the “Damages for Slander and Libel” case filed against Mr. Stanton Witherspoon and his Spoon TV, as mandated by the Supreme Court Justice in Chambers. We are committed to following this historic case, as it bothers around the provision of factual information in the public space.
