-As Activa Insurance withdraws bonds filed on behalf of the media house.
Just few days after the public saw the General Manager of Spoon TV and FM Communication Network venerating the opening of the facility by the court, situation has returned to status code anti, as the facility is expected to be closed again in the coming days.
This, particularly followed the withdrawal of the bond filed on behalf of the entity, by
Activa International Insurance, Friday, August 25, 2023.
“We write to officially withdraw the Bond of $5,000,000.00 that was filed on behalf of the PLAINTIFF effective inception,” the company communication noted.
As disclosed by Activa International Insurance, this step was prompted by what they termed as “No premium payment”.
“Our decision is due to No premium payment,” the communication provided.
“Attention: To withdraw the Bond File in the case between Mr. Wilmont Smith VS the Management of Spoon TV and FM Communication Network of the City of Monrovia.”
The company was addressed to the Sixth Judicial Civil Law Court For Montserrado, under its County Montserrado Sitting in its June Term, AD 2023, before His Honour J. Kennedy Peabody, Resident Circuit Presiding.
It can be referenced that the facility of Spoon Communication was closed on July 14, 2023, by the Civil Law Court.
Following the closure of the media house, it was speculated that the action was highly influenced by government.
But following said speculation, the Government of Liberia clarified that it is not a party to the lawsuit brought against the Network, which on Friday, July 14 resulted in the closure of the station’s premises in Monrovia.
According to the GoL, it understands that the suit was instead filed months ago by Mr Wilmont Smith, a private citizen of the country, who once served as Deputy Director General for Information Coordination at LISGIS.
“Mr. Smith stated in his lawsuit that following his dismissal from the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-information Services for Administrative Reasons by President George M. Weah, the station used its network to defame his reputation, characterizing him as a “Criminal”.
It continues that the case involving the two parties was brought before the court and has been ongoing for several months.
“A writ was issued against Spoon FM’s Management and its owner, Mr. Stanton Witherspoon, on Friday morning, July 14, 2023”.
The Government of Liberia further re-emphasized that it respects the right to freedom of speech and the press as it has always demonstrated, but is also cognizant of the fact that an individual feeling injured by the work of a media entity also has the right to seek redress under the laws of Liberia.
“The courts, which are an integral part of the Judicial Branch of the Government, are independent of the Executive Branch, which has got no part in this private legal saga”.
“The Weah- led Administration’s press freedom record remains enviable, which has been repeatedly attested to by all international partners, including outgoing U.S. Ambassador Michael McCarthy”.
However, it is still being believed that many that the insurance company recent action was also as a result of government pressure, especially after they willingly decided to help the media house in its court process.
