By Jacqueline L. Dennis
MONROVIA – The Supreme Court of Liberia has halted a scheduled hearing in the high-profile diamond scandal case involving former government officials, including ex-Justice Minister Cllr. Frank Musah Dean Jr., and ordered the matter back to the lower court.
The decision, communicated on October 2 by Supreme Court Clerk Cllr. Sam Mamulu, follows a directive from Associate Justice Jamesetta H. Wolokolie, presiding in Chambers. Justice Wolokolie instructed Judge J. Boima Kontoe of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court to resume jurisdiction over the case and continue proceedings in accordance with the law.
The now-cancelled Supreme Court conference had been set for October 16 and was tied to a petition for a writ of prohibition filed by Cllr. Dean. The petition concerns a Class “C” mining license — specifically, Claim #12 F/Survey in Smith Town, Gbarma Statutory District, Gbarpolu County.
Abraham Kamara, the holder of the disputed license, and Mohammed Kamara, also known as “JR,” both of Gbarpolu County, are named as respondents in the petition.
The case forms part of a broader investigation into the alleged illegal appraisal, certification, and sale of a 53.34-carat diamond that disappeared under unclear circumstances earlier this year.
On September 20, the Civil Law Court in Monrovia, under Judge Kontoe, issued arrest warrants for several individuals implicated in the scandal, including:
- Cllr. Frank Musah Dean Jr., former Justice Minister and Attorney General
- Gesler Murray, former Minister of Mines and Energy
- Mustapha Tounkara, President of the Diamond Dealers Association
- Korvah Baysah
- James Biaku
- Emmanuel T.J. Saye
Judge Kontoe has alleged that the group operated as a criminal syndicate, manipulating official records and colluding to sell the diamond illegally, using forged documents and leveraging their official positions.
With the Supreme Court sending the case back to the Civil Law Court, prosecution proceedings are set to resume, bringing renewed public scrutiny.
The scandal has drawn widespread attention due to the diamond’s high value and the political stature of the accused. Observers say the case will serve as a major test of Liberia’s justice system and its ability to hold former officials accountable.
As the investigation continues, questions linger over the whereabouts of the missing diamond and the full extent of the network allegedly behind its disappearance.
