Monrovia, Liberia – Criminal Court “C” Presiding Judge A. Blamo Dixon has issued a writ of summons against Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh and Police Inspector General Gregory O.W. Coleman for their failure to comply with two court orders demanding the release of detainee Cece Fassou Thea.
On November 21, 2024, a petition for a writ of habeas corpus was filed by former Associate Justice Cllr. Kabina M. Ja’net.
A habeas corpus writ compels the government to bring an arrested individual before the Court, ensuring their lawful detention.
During a hearing on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at Criminal Court “C,” the defense counsel filed a motion requesting that the Justice Minister and the Police IG be summoned for their alleged failure to produce the living body of Fassou Thea in Court.
The detainee has been held in unclear circumstances despite multiple court orders for his appearance.
Judge Dixon expressed frustration over the failure of the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Police (LNP) to comply with both an Ordinary Writ and a Compulsory Writ of Habeas Corpus. Justice Jan’net and Cllr. Jimmy Saah Bombo, representing Fassou Thea’s legal team, filed the motion after the government failed to produce Thea by the Court’s deadline of 1:00 PM.
In response, the Court issued a writ of summons for Cllr. Oswald Tweh, the Minister of Justice, Col. Gregory O.W. Coleman, the Inspector General of Police, and other officials, requiring them to appear before the Court on Friday, December 13, 2024. They must show the cause of why they should not be held in criminal contempt of Court for failing to adhere to the habeas corpus orders.
The petitioners argue that the delay and failure to release Fassou Thea reflect a broader disregard for the Court’s authority. Court documents in Verity’s possession show that the Sheriff attempted to locate Fassou Thea at the Central Police Headquarters, but the police could not provide any information about his whereabouts, raising questions about the government’s actions.
This incident marks the second time an inmate has gone missing from prison under the Administration of President Joseph Boakai, intensifying public concern. The public and Fassou Thea’s family closely follow the case, as the dispute between the judiciary and executive highlights significant tensions in Liberia’s legal system. The outcome of the December 13 hearing could have far-reaching implications for enforcing court orders in the country.
