By Jacqueline L. Dennis
Monrovia, Liberia – In a landmark ruling that has sent shockwaves through Liberia’s political and judicial circles, the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Monrovia has ordered the immediate arrest and detention of six high-profile former government officials in connection with the disappearance and unauthorized sale of a 53.34-carat diamond.
The decision, handed down by Judge J. Boima Kontoe on September 26, follows a Supreme Court mandate affirming the gemstone’s ownership by private individuals and rejecting the Liberian government’s claims.
Key Figures Named in “Criminal Cartel”
The court identified six individuals as central to what it described as a “criminal cartel” engaged in illegal sale and deliberate obstruction of justice:
- Cllr. Frank Musa Dean – Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General
- Gesler Murray – Former Minister of Mines and Energy
- Mustapha Tounkara – President, Diamond Dealers Association of Liberia
- Ishaka Conneh, alias “Bakat”
- Emmanuel T.T. Swen
- Korvah Baysah – Diamond appraiser and issuer of its certificate of origin
Judge Kontoe stated that the group failed to provide critical information about the diamond’s sale and actively obstructed the Supreme Court’s mandate. The appraisal, certification, export clearance, and sale of the diamond—carried out under the Kimberley Process—relied heavily on legal opinions from former Attorney General Dean, which contradicted a Ministry of Justice report confirming that the diamond legally belonged to T. David Sluward and Mohammed Kamara, also known as “JR.”
Supreme Court Ruling Ignored
On August 14, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that Sluward and Kamara were the rightful owners, noting their retroactive renewal of a Class “C” mining license prior to the diamond’s seizure. Despite this, officials from the Ministries of Justice and Mines and Energy continued to claim the diamond as government property based on an expired license—a position the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court rejected.
Held in Contempt
Judge Kontoe declared all six individuals in contempt of court for failing to disclose key documents, including the “vendor return form” detailing the diamond’s buyer and payment information. The court ordered:
“They are hereby arrested and detained at the Monrovia Central Prison until they shall have accounted for the 53.34-carat diamond.”
Public Response and Wider Implications
The ruling has drawn praise from legal experts and civil society groups, who say it could signal a turning point in Liberia’s fight against corruption in the extractive sector.
“This is not just about a diamond,” said a legal analyst. “It’s about upholding the rule of law and sending a message that no one is above it.”
Observers believe the court’s decision could pave the way for further investigations and potential prosecutions related to illicit diamond trading, fraud, and abuse of public office.
