Monrovia – The Supreme Court docket of Liberia has formally lifted a keep order that had halted authorized proceedings within the high-profile 53.34-carat diamond scandal, eradicating a serious authorized barrier to the arrest and prosecution of former Justice Minister Cllr. Frank Musah Dean Jr. and 5 others.
“By directive of Her Honor Jamestta H. Wolokollie, Affiliate Justice presiding in Chambers, you’re hereby knowledgeable that the convention beforehand scheduled for Thursday, October 16, 2025, has been cancelled. Moreover, the Respondent Choose has been instructed to renew jurisdiction over the matter and proceed in accordance with the legislation,” the discover by Cllr. Sam Mamulu, Clerk of the Supreme Court docket of Liberia said.
The ruling, handed down by Justice in Chambers, Her Honor Jamestta H. Wolokollie, clears the way in which for the Civil Legislation Court docket to renew jurisdiction and implement its arrest order in opposition to the accused.
The choice got here through a proper communication dated October 2, from the Supreme Court docket Clerk, Cllr. Sam Mamulu, addressed to Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus, counsel for the petitioner.
It additionally cancelled a beforehand scheduled Supreme Court docket convention on the matter and directed Choose J. Boima Kontoe of the Civil Legislation Court docket to proceed in accordance with the legislation.
Dean’s Try to Block Prosecution Fails
The Supreme Court docket’s determination comes simply days after Cllr. Dean filed a petition looking for to dam the decrease courtroom’s efforts to arrest him and others in reference to the diamond saga.
In his petition, Dean argued that the Civil Legislation Court docket had overstepped its authority, violated due course of, and acted on “mischaracterized” information.
He requested the Supreme Court docket to take care of the keep and stop what he known as an “illegal and politically motivated” arrest.
Nevertheless, the Court docket discovered no authorized grounds to uphold the petition, thereby rejecting Dean’s try and delay the proceedings additional.
Authorized analysts view this ruling as a blow to Dean’s authorized technique, reaffirming the authority of the Civil Legislation Court docket to proceed with the matter.
Arrest Orders Reinstated
With the keep order lifted, Choose Kontoe has reactivated standing arrest orders in opposition to Cllr. Frank Musah Dean Jr., Former Minister of Justice and Lawyer Normal, Gersler E. Murray, Former Minister of Mines and Vitality, Emmanuel T.T. Swen, Former Assistant Minister for Mines, Mustapha Tonkara, President, Diamond Sellers Affiliation, Ishaka “Shaka” Conneh, alias “Bakut” and Korvah Baysah, Diamond Appraiser.
They’re accused of orchestrating an unlawful scheme to grab, certify, and promote a 53.34-carat diamond initially found in Smith City, Gbarma District, Gbarpolu County in 2022.
The diamond was found by an artisanal miner, Mohammed Kamara, extensively often known as “Junior.”
In response to stories, Kamara was allegedly kidnapped and detained for weeks by Ishaka “Shaka” Conneh, who falsely claimed that the diamond was unearthed inside his personal mining declare in an space known as Wasua.
Kamara was finally launched following the intervention of Montserrado County Senator Saah H. Joseph.
A multi-agency authorities investigation later concluded that Conneh’s possession declare was invalid.
The diamond, nevertheless, was allegedly appraised, licensed, and bought exterior Liberia underneath suspicious circumstances.
The Alleged Felony Community
In response to courtroom filings, the diamond was granted a Kimberley Course of certificates, a doc used to confirm the authorized origin of diamonds, by Korvah Baysah, who allegedly hid the identification of the client and withheld key sale particulars.
Mustapha Tonkara, head of the Diamond Sellers Affiliation, is accused of falsifying export documentation, allegedly underneath the course of former officers Dean and Murray.
In a ruling, the Civil Legislation Court docket described the group as a “felony cartel knitted by connivance, secrecy, and collusion,” suggesting a classy and coordinated effort to use Liberia’s pure assets for private achieve.
On September 26, Choose Kontoe dominated that each one six people have been in contempt of courtroom for obstructing the enforcement of the Supreme Court docket’s prior mandate.
He ordered their rapid arrest and detention on the Monrovia Central Jail till they absolutely account for the whereabouts of the diamond.
“Except these people are made to totally account for the 53.34-carat diamond in query, the execution of the Supreme Court docket’s mandate is unlikely,” the ruling said.
The Supreme Court docket’s latest transfer has ignited public curiosity and positioned the case squarely within the nationwide highlight.
With mounting requires accountability in Liberia’s pure useful resource sector, the case is considered as a litmus take a look at for the nation’s dedication to justice, transparency, and the rule of legislation.
Critics argue that for too lengthy, politically linked people have escaped prosecution in corruption circumstances.
The diamond scandal could now sign a shift, particularly if arrests and prosecutions proceed with out interference.
As of press time, not one of the six accused have turned themselves in.
Legislation enforcement officers haven’t confirmed whether or not any arrests have been made.
