Former Liberia’s vice president Joseph Boakai Monday took the witness stand in the case brought against leading opposition figure and flagbearer of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) Alexander Cummings over alleged alteration of Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) Framework Document.
Mr. Boakai who is the current standard-bearer of the former ruling Unity Party that led Liberia for 12 year was supeno by the court to testify in the case that was brought against Mr. Cummings by the political leader of the All Liberian Party Benoni Urey.
The Framework Document is a working agreement signed by four collaborating parties drafted in 2019 to conglomerate forces in order to unseat the president George Weah at the ballot box in 2023.
Taking the witness stand, Boakai 77, agreed with Mr. Urey allegation against Mr. Cummings that noting that the document handed him on the witness stand was that the same Framework that on signed by him in May 2020. He added that the original framework Document was not photocopy as agreed by the National Election Commission (NEC).
The former Vice president told the court that five original copies of the CPP Framework Document were signed with a copy for each of the four constituent parties and one was forwarded to the National Elections Commission (NEC).
Mr. Cummings has since denied any alteration of the framework document describing the case brought against him by Mr. urey as a ‘political witch-hunt’ only intended to limit his chances in the pending presidential elections in 2023.
The ANC Political Leader, Mr. Alexander Cummings, National Chairman, Daniel Naatehn, and Secretary-General, Aloysius Toe are being accused of altering the Collaborating Political Parties framework document in order to favor Mr. cummings in 2023.
‘Forensic investigator in’
Meanwhile Mr. Cummings recently hired the services of Cherie Blair CBE QC to lead an independent and internationally-staffed forensic investigation into the document tampering allegations made by the All Liberian Party (“ALP”), which form the basis of ongoing criminal proceedings.
Cherie Blair CBE, QC is the Founder and Chair of Omnia Strategy where she focuses on international arbitration, strategic international legal, and advisory work and practices as a barrister. She is a Queen’s Counsel and wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. With over 40 years of experience as a leading barrister specializing in public international law, human rights, employment law, arbitration, and mediation, Cherie has represented over 30 governments as well as numerous multinational corporations in international disputes.
Through Omnia Strategy, Cherie advises clients on complex issues relating to international dispute resolution, investment treaties, corporate responsibility, and business & human rights, and government relations. She also represents clients as counsel in international arbitrations and legal cases.
According to the ANC, Mr. Cummings commissioned this independent investigation to provide an objective evaluation of the claims made by the ALP and the Government of Liberia.
The political party in a press release stated some time ago stated that “Throughout his corporate, philanthropic, and political career, at home and abroad and his recent political engagements in Liberia, Mr. Cummings has always been committed to high standards of integrity, honesty, probity, and transparency. These allegations are an attempt to question and undermine his values.”
