A legal storm is brewing in Liberia, as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is under Minister Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh has openly contradicted a Supreme Court ruling prohibiting interference in a binding contract between the Modern Development and Management Corporation (MDMC) and the Ministry of Transport (MoT).
On January 27, 2025, the Supreme Court issued a Writ of Prohibition, restraining any government entity from undermining MDMC’s legal contract for producing vehicle registration documents and driver’s licenses.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court instructed Brigadier General Amos B. Kesseh Dickson Sr., Marshal of the Supreme Court, as follows:
“You are hereby commanded to notify the Government of the Republic of Liberia through the Minister of Justice, Cllr. Oswald N. Tweh; the Ministry of Transport, through its Minister, Hon. Sirleaf Ralph Tyler; the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC), through its Executive Director, Mr. Bodger Scott Johnson; the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), through its Minister, Hon. Augustine Kphehe Ngafuan; and the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), through its Commissioner-General, Hon. James Dorbor Jallah—Respondents in the above-entitled cause of action—to appear (by filing their returns) before His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay Sr., Associate Justice in Chambers, at the Supreme Court Room, Temple of Justice, on or before February 5, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., to show cause why the Petitioner’s petition should not be granted.
You are further commanded to instruct the Respondents herein to file their returns to this Writ in the Office of the Clerk of this Honorable Court on or before February 5, 2025.”
Despite this judicial mandate, the Ministry of Justice has announced that, effective February 3, 2025, all vehicle registrations and driver’s licenses will be exclusively processed by Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated (LTM), an entity not recognized in the court ruling. This move has sparked serious concerns over the government’s commitment to upholding judicial decisions and has raised alarms about the rule of law in Liberia.
The Writ of Prohibition, issued by Justice in Chambers, His Honour Yamie Quiqui Gbissay, was clear. It mandated that the Government of Liberia, through its agencies, must cease all actions interfering with MDMC’s contract. Furthermore, the Ministry of Transport was barred from initiating any new vehicle registration and driver licensing bidding process. A hearing has been scheduled for February 5, 2025, to address any outstanding legal matters.
However, the Ministry of Justice’s latest directive ordering the public only to register vehicles and obtain licenses through LTM directly violates the court’s ruling. The government’s move has triggered widespread debate, with legal experts asserting that such defiance could lead to contempt proceedings against the officials responsible. The Supreme Court retains the authority to enforce its orders, including issuing contempt charges against government officials who fail to comply.
MDMC’s management has expressed grave concern over the government’s actions, emphasizing that the Ministry of Justice’s defiance threatens the integrity of Liberia’s business environment and investor confidence. “This action is a blatant disregard for the rule of law. The Supreme Court’s ruling must be respected to maintain a fair and just business climate in Liberia,” a senior MDMC official stated.
With the February 5, 2025, Supreme Court hearing approaching, the judiciary faces mounting pressure to reaffirm its authority and prevent executive overreach. The Ministry of Justice’s defiance challenges a specific court order and sets a dangerous precedent for future legal disputes in Liberia.
