The Civil Law Court has awarded former Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) Director General, Abraham Kromah, a whopping $1.5 million in general damages after finding Hassan and Hussein Fadiga liable for libel and defamation.
The decision, handed down Monday by Judge George W. Smith, follows a lawsuit filed by Kromah on February 6, 2025, in which he alleged that the Fadiga brothers’ defamatory actions inflicted significant harm to his reputation and business interests.
In his ruling, Judge Smith stated that the defendants’ actions were not only reckless but carried “a deliberate intent to injure the character and credibility” of the former drug enforcement chief. He further ordered an additional $100,000 in punitive damages to serve as a deterrent to others engaging in similar conduct.
Court records show that on March 17, the court issued a summons for the Fadigas to respond to the complaint. Their failure to do so led to a default judgment against them, clearing the path for the court to assess the damages requested.
Though Kromah had initially sought $5 million in total compensation, including special damages for lost contracts and opportunities, the court concluded that specific economic losses were not adequately substantiated under the law. Still, the $1.5 million total verdict represents one of the largest libel awards in recent Liberian legal history.
This ruling not only restores Kromah’s public standing but also sends a powerful message about accountability and the legal consequences of defamation in Liberia’s evolving media and public discourse landscape.
Neither of the Fadiga brothers has issued a public statement since the verdict.
Source: Spoon Tv
