MONROVIA – Former City Solicitor Emmanuel J. Hilter has alleged that his Letter of Patent was revoked after he filed a formal complaint against Owensgrove Magisterial Court Stipendiary Magistrate Naomi Crusoe over what he described as judicial misconduct during proceedings in Grand Bassa County.
Addressing a press conference at his Congo Town office on Saturday, August 1, Hilter claimed that his troubles began after he accused Magistrate Crusoe of abuse of judicial authority, violations of due process, and unethical conduct while he was prosecuting a criminal case before her court.
According to Hilter, he petitioned Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay Sr. to investigate the magistrate, alleging that she ordered his arrest, allowed him to be pepper-sprayed and handcuffed, detained him for five days, and coerced him into writing an apology before securing his release. He further alleged that some of his personal belongings and cash went missing during the incident and that the magistrate later demanded payments as conditions for his release.
Hilter said he believes the events surrounding his complaint eventually culminated in the Ministry of Justice’s decision to revoke his Letter of Patent. However, he maintained that the revocation does not make him a “fake lawyer,” arguing that the same ministry had officially authorized him to prosecute cases in Magisterial Courts for about seven years before withdrawing that authority.
While accepting the Ministry’s decision, Hilter called on Liberians to examine both his complaint against the magistrate and the circumstances leading to the revocation before judging his character. He stressed that he remains respectful of the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice and is committed to continuing public service outside the courtroom.
