Tension erupted at Criminal Court ‘A’ on Wednesday, September 24, when one of the defendants in the arson case, Kivi Kaba Bah, collapsed in opened court just moments before the court ruling.
The incident prompted the defense to push for an “emergency ruling” on a previously filed motion for independent medical examination, seeking temporary release for Bah, and others to receive specialized care.
The presiding judge acknowledged the gravity of the situation, and ruled that no decision would be made on the defense’s motion until a qualified medical report is submitted by the attending physician, detailing the cause and severity of Bah’s condition.
“This Court is not medically equipped to determine the cause of the defendant collapse,” the judge said. “Such matters rest in the hands of trained professionals, who must first conduct a thorough examination before this Court can make an informed decision regarding his possible release.”
Bah, who reportedly suffers from a heart-related medical condition, was rushed from the courtroom by ambulance after falling ill.
According to defense lawyers, the incident stemmed from ongoing health complications allegedly worsened during his detention at the Monrovia Central Prison.
The defense team, representing former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, and several co-defendants, cited concerns for the health and safety of their clients, particularly Bah.
In their renewed motion, filed after an earlier Motion to Suppress Evidence, they urged the court to allow Bah, and others to be signed over to family members for immediate, specialized treatment, citing medical records from AMI Medical Center recommending further intervention.
Lead defense counsel Wilkins Wright maintained that the request is made in good faith, and on humanitarian grounds, arguing that continued detention under inadequate medical supervision poses serious risks to lives of their clients.