Criminal Court A’ Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie has imposed a US$2,000 fine for contempt of court following the mysterious disappearance of Ibrahima Khalil Cherif, a Guinean national.
Cherif, who faced serious criminal charges including mercenarism, armed insurrection, and criminal conspiracy, was due to appear in court on October 31, 2024, but was allegedly extradited the day before his scheduled court date.
Judge Willie stated that the actions of the Ministry of Justice, which failed to produce Cherif in court as required, constituted contempt and disrupted the administration of justice. “By interfering with the course of justice, you are charged with contempt,” the judge declared.
The fine, set at US$2,000, will be split among key officials within the Ministry of Justice, including the Solicitor General, the Assistant Minister for Litigation, the County Attorney, and the Prison President. Each is required to pay US$500 by 2 p.m. on Monday, November 25, 2024.
Cherif, facing mercenary activities and armed insurrection charges, was supposed to be released from prison following a nolle prosequi motion filed by the Ministry of Justice, which suspended the prosecution. However, when a court sheriff arrived at the prison to process his release, Cherif was missing. His lawyer, former Supreme Court Justice Kabineh Ja’neh, expressed concern that his client may have been kidnapped or even killed, prompting him to seek redress in court.
Judge Willie had previously issued a 72-hour ultimatum for the government to produce Cherif’s “living body.” On November 20, 2024, during a court session, Cherif’s defense counsel requested that the prosecution be compelled to produce their client and be held in contempt until Cherif’s whereabouts were revealed.
In response, the prosecution argued that Cherif’s removal from prison had been due to national security concerns. They explained that the decision to extradite Cherif was made at a higher level of government, beyond the authority of the Ministry of Justice. “National security supersedes all others,” they stated, suggesting that they had acted on instructions from higher authorities.
However, the court rejected this argument, emphasizing that the prosecution’s actions were not based on law. Judge Willie stated that the government’s actions must align with legal procedures even if national security concerns were involved. “You are held in contempt for interfering with justice,” he declared.
The court further reminded the prosecution that while it is sometimes necessary to follow higher orders, those actions must always comply with the law. This ruling marks a significant moment in the case, which continues to draw attention due to the defendant’s high profile and the serious charges against him.
