The Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Montserrado County has found Liberia’s Inspector General of Police, Col. Gregory Coleman, guilty of criminal contempt after he failed to obey a lawful court mandate.
Presiding Judge Peter W. Gbeneweleh ruled that the Police Chief’s refusal to appear before the court to explain his non-compliance with an earlier order amounted to “an affront to the authority of the court and highly contemptuous.”
As a result, Col. Coleman was fined USD $300, which must be paid into government revenue within 72 hours. The court warned that failure to do so would lead to the issuance of a writ of arrest, authorizing the Sheriff to take him into custody.
In addition, Judge Gbeneweleh directed the Sheriff to serve mandates on the Ministry of Justice and the Honorable Supreme Court of Liberia to ensure enforcement of the ruling in the ongoing civil matter: The Intestate Estate of the Late Batune Keita vs. The Intestate Estate of the Late Mohammed Kamara, administered by Matelja M. Murh.
Delivering the judgment, the Judge underscored that no public official is above the law, emphasizing the need for full respect and prompt compliance with judicial authority.
“This Court calls upon the Inspector General to always enter compliance with the competent jurisdiction with urgency,” Judge Gbeneweleh stated, reaffirming the judiciary’s stance on upholding the rule of law.
