The Nigerians were arraigned before Criminal Court 'C' to answer to their charges but their lawyers begged for more time in order to present them adequately as provided by law.

The indictment accused the Nigerians of using several equipment to tap on the LTA's lines, causing the institution to lose over US$1.9m in revenue.

Prior to their indictment, the Monrovia City Court dismissed the case involving four Nigerian suspects after state prosecutors failed to produce evidence.

Judge Nelson Chineh said he granted the defense lawyers' motion to dismiss the case because the state lawyers failed to provide evidence.

He said while it was true that the matter was above the court's jurisdiction and it could not arbitrarily dismiss in keeping with law.

He added that when preliminary examination is granted by a court of first instance said court can hear the matter, under the law.

"The court sees reason to hold the defendants. It has the legal authority to discharge them from answering further. The case only be forwarded to the circuit court where it shows that there is a probable cause to hold them," he pointed out.

As it relates to the issue raised by the persecution reference to the rule of court governing the Magisterial Court, the court said when the grand jury is in session all indictable offenses should be immediately forwarded in reference to case where preliminary examination has not been requested for.

"Speedy trial is a right guaranteed to everyone brought before the court by the Constitution of Liberia (section 18.2), which provide timeframe within which the criminal proceedings remain pending before a Magisterial Court.

Interestedly, the four Nigerian suspects' freedom lasted for five minutes as they were rearrested at the entrance of the Magisterial Court by officers believed to be sent by the County Attorney of Montserrado.

They were quickly taken to the Criminal Court 'C' and later remanded at the Monrovia Central Prison.

Police charged the four Nigerian suspects in 2013 for allegedly stealing US$1.9 million from the LTA.