The Stipendiary Magistrate of Monrovia City Court Ben L. Barco has issued a writ of arrest for J. Jefferson Chesson over allegations that he made public comments about a pending case and the conduct of the court’s presiding magistrate.
The writ, dated August 18, orders Captain Augustine T. Forleh, Magistrate Police, or his deputy to arrest Chesson and bring him before the Monrovia City Court at the Temple of Justice.
According to the writ, Chesson appeared on the Spoon Talk program and discussed proceedings before the court, including the actions of Stipendiary Magistrate L. Ben Barco.
The court alleges that during the program, Chesson made statements suggesting that the magistrate was biased and taking sides in the matter before him.
The writ says the statements were made without any lawful justification and amounted to an attempt to undermine the authority and dignity of the court.
The document further states that Chesson’s comments were “calculated to undermine the authority, integrity, and dignity” of the court and its presiding magistrate, as well as bring the court into public ridicule.
The court also alleges that the statements could interfere with the proper administration of justice and cause public embarrassment and inconvenience.
Chesson has been ordered to appear before the court and “answer or show cause, if any, why he should not and cannot be held in Contempt of this Court.”
The writ identifies the Republic of Liberia, through the Ministerial Officer of the City of Monrovia, as the complainant in the contempt matter.
The document also references a separate case involving allegations of terroristic threats, criminal coercion, menacing and disorderly conduct, in which Chesson is listed as a defendant. However, the writ provides no additional details about those allegations.
The arrest order was issued by the Monrovia City Court and signed by Abel Kalay, Clerk/Assistant Clerk of Court, on August 18, 2026.
The issuance of the writ is not a determination of guilt. Chesson will have the opportunity to appear before the court and respond to the allegations against him.
