The Managing Editor of the Independent Observer Newspaper, Jonathan Leigh was yesterday remanded at the Pademba Road maximum prison by Magistrate Serray Wurie of Magistrate Court No. 2 for Contempt of Court.
Jonathan Leigh stands charged in the same court with four counts of defamatory libel. Yesterday’s appearance was his second appearance in court after he was granted bail on his first appearance. When the matter was called in court yesterday, the Magistrate immediately cautioned him on a newspaper he (Jonathan Leigh) published on Monday 22nd July. The Magistrate said the publication was “a contempt of court” and “disrespect for procedure”.
Lawyer representing the Defendant, R. A. D. Jones pleaded with the Magistrate not to put into effect what he has just said which is remanding the defendant till the next adjourned date. He noted that the matter is subjudice and that the defendant should have waited and should trust the justice system. He told the Magistrate that the publication may have been done out of emotion.
In response lawyer representing the Complainant, Ajibola Manley Spain said he pre-empted the situation in the last sitting, pointing out that the lawyer representing the defendant “is not remorseful”, referring to his submission in court.
On this note, he read an extract from the publication which states: “it may appear that some Magistrates do not now have control over the running of their courts to the extent that they have to be remote-controlled, armed twisted or pushed into bending the law.”
The Magistrate then ruled that Jonathan Leigh, the Defendant, be remanded in custody till the next adjourned date slated for 30th July.
July 25, 2013
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