PHOTO: Some of the 16 defendants being whisked off to jail
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia – The Sixth Judicial Circuit Court at the Temple of Justice, on Friday November 14,2025 sentenced sixteen individuals to one month each at Monrovia Central Prison after finding them guilty of criminal contempt for violently obstructing officers enforcing a Supreme Court’s eviction order in Paynesville.
The presiding judge,Peter W. Gbeneweleh during the hearing at the Civil Law Court Annex A denounced the repeated attacks on court personnel, stating that the judiciary would no longer tolerate resistance to lawful mandates.
Violence Erupts During Second Enforcement Attempt
The convictions followed a November 13, 2025, operation to implement a Supreme Court directive restoring possession of a disputed Paynesville property to the Intestate Estate of Batune Keita.
The enforcement team, comprising the Civil Law Court Sheriff, Liberia National Police officers, and a licensed surveyor, was met with violent resistance from individuals believed to be acting on behalf of the Intestate Estate of the late Mamadee M. Kamara.
All sixteen individuals present during the confrontation were arrested and charged with criminal contempt. Those sentenced include Abraham Jalloh, Imam Abu Kamara, Osman Toure, Sekou S. Kamara, Alpha Kamara, Mohammed Kromah, Hassan Kamara, Prince Roberts, Mohammed Diakateh, Mohammed A. Kamara, Ousmane, James Fallah, Dawuda Kamara, Sekou Kamara, Lusane Kamara, and Secka Kromah.
Pattern of Attacks Against Court Officers
Judge Gbeneweleh highlighted prior instances of violence, including a September 27, 2025, incident during which bailiffs executing a Writ of Possession were assaulted with stones, sustaining injuries and forcing the team to withdraw.
Following that attack, the court formally requested police support on October 2, citing threats to the safety of officers. Earlier in the dispute, seven other individuals were arrested for similar offenses; four received 14-day prison sentences but were released early following community interventions. Despite repeated warnings, confrontations continued.
Defendants Plead for Leniency
In court, Cllr. Richard Scott, representing the Ministry of Justice, argued that the defendants had deliberately undermined judicial authority. Defense counsel Atty. Fofee V. Kamara apologized on behalf of the accused, noting the hardship they endured while in detention.
Several defendants addressed the judge directly. Mohammed A. Kamara said, “We regret our action and it will never be repeated,” while Hassan Kamara pleaded, “We are asking the court to please forgive us.” Judge Gbeneweleh, however, reminded the courtroom that similar assurances had been broken in earlier proceedings.
Judge Issues Stern Warning
“This court has been violently attacked multiple times while executing the Supreme Court’s mandate,” Judge Gbeneweleh stated. “Even after warnings, community meetings, and the previous sentencing of four individuals, the attacks continued. The rule of law cannot be held hostage by violence.”
The judge noted that the law permits up to five months’ imprisonment for criminal contempt but imposed a one-month term in light of the defendants’ pleas. Commitment orders were issued immediately.
Longstanding Land Dispute Reaches Enforcement Stage
The sentencing marks a significant development in a protracted land dispute between the estates of Batune Keita and Mamadee M. Kamara. Administrator Mohammed Tanji Keita filed the complaint in 2020, alleging that the Kamara estate had illegally occupied two lots purchased by his late father in 1989.
A survey conducted by Samuel W. Danway Jr. confirmed that several structures, including the EcoBank building, encroached on Keita’s property. The Civil Law Court ruled in favor of the Keita estate, a decision subsequently affirmed by the Supreme Court, which ordered the eviction of all unlawful occupants and restoration of possession to the Keita estate.