Two senior officials of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center have been arrested for alleged contempt of court after the Supreme Court moved to enforce its judgment in favor of Karen Gaydou Sehkehporh.
The officials, including JFK Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Administration Bendu S. Mensah and another senior administrator, were taken into custody on the orders of Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr., following claims that the hospital’s management failed to comply with the Court’s directive.
They appeared before Civil Law Court “A,” where Assigned Judge Nelson B. Chinneh ordered them to produce US$25,000 by 3:00 p.m. Thursday, July 23, or risk being committed to the Monrovia Central Prison for contempt.
The arrests followed a meeting at the Temple of Justice after the JFK management allegedly failed to implement the Supreme Court’s final ruling awarding Sehkehporh compensation in a medical negligence case.
According to judicial sources, Chief Justice Gbeisay authorized the action after previous attempts to secure compliance with the Court’s order were unsuccessful.
The contempt proceedings are linked to a July 16, 2026 citation issued by the Supreme Court Clerk, Sam Mamulu, requiring the parties to appear before the Chief Justice over the continued failure to enforce the judgment.
The case involves Karen Gaydou Sehkehporh, who sued JFK Medical Center after a 2019 surgery left her with severe complications. Court records indicate that gauze was allegedly left inside her abdomen during an abdominal hysterectomy, resulting in infection, additional surgeries, and long-term health challenges.
Sehkehporh filed a medical negligence lawsuit against JFK in 2020. In November 2023, Civil Law Court “B” ruled in her favor, finding the hospital liable. The Supreme Court later upheld the decision in February 2025 and awarded her US$350,000 in damages.
However, the judgment remained unpaid for more than a year, prompting Sehkehporh to return to court seeking enforcement of the ruling.
Legal observers say the case highlights a broader challenge in Liberia’s justice system, where individuals may win cases but face difficulties collecting judgments, especially when government institutions are involved.
The Supreme Court’s decision to pursue contempt proceedings against JFK officials signals a stronger approach toward holding public officials personally accountable for failing to comply with final court decisions.
As of press time, the two officials remained in custody at Civil Law Court, annex ‘A’ awaiting the court’s deadline. Failure to meet the order could result in their transfer to the Monrovia Central Prison.
