Monrovia — Prophet Key, who was invited earlier than the complete bench of the Supreme Court docket of Liberia to reply to allegations of contempt, appeared on Tuesday following accusations that he made insulting remarks directed at Chief Justice Yarmie Quiqui Gbeisay.
By Willie N. Tokpah
The looks adopted a quotation issued by the Court docket inviting Prophet Key to indicate trigger why he shouldn’t be held in contempt for statements allegedly impugning the authority and dignity of the Chief Justice.
The proceedings have been held on the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.
When questioned by the bench, Prophet Key disclosed that he was with out authorized illustration and formally requested the Court docket to nominate a lawyer, explaining that he lacked the means to retain personal counsel.
Chief Justice Gbeisay famous that the Court docket had earlier appointed amici curiae—pals of the courtroom—to make sure equity and due course of. The amici curiae, Cllr. Wilkins Wright and Richard Scott Jr., participated within the listening to to supply impartial authorized steerage.
Cllr. Wright supported Prophet Key’s request for authorized illustration and urged the Court docket to grant the accused ample procedural safety. He additional advisable that the matter be reassigned to permit adequate time for the preparation of a protection.
Addressing the difficulty of liberty pending reassignment, Cllr. Wright argued that contempt, in its normal nature, is a bailable offense. He proposed that the accused be allowed to current at the least two credible and everlasting residents to ensure his reappearance earlier than the Court docket.
Nonetheless, Cllr. Wright acknowledged that it’s unusual for the Supreme Court docket to straight present authorized counsel for people charged with contempt, as such individuals are ordinarily anticipated to seem with their very own attorneys. Nonetheless, he emphasised that given the circumstances and the accused’s declared lack of ability to safe counsel, the Court docket ought to train discretion within the curiosity of justice.
Responding, Chief Justice Gbeisay clarified that Liberia’s judicial system gives authorized illustration by means of the Public Defender’s Workplace for residents unable to afford personal attorneys. He acknowledged that, in gentle of the accused’s request and the recommendation of the amici curiae, the Court docket noticed no authorized foundation for requiring personal people to signal bonds on Prophet Key’s behalf.
Consequently, the Chief Justice appointed Cllr. Bestman Juah, President of the Public Defenders, together with Joseph Debleh, Coordinator of the Public Defender’s Workplace, to characterize Prophet Key.
The matter was subsequently reassigned to Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., for additional proceedings.
