Justice Minister Musa Dean Begs for Mercy in Contempt Hearing

MONROVIA – The Minister of Justice Cllr. Frank Musa Dean has appealed to the Supreme Court for mercy following his failure to appear before the full bench to show cause why he should not be held in contempt of court.

Recently the high court fined the Minister of Justice, Information Minister Ledgerhood J. Rennie and the Solicitor General designate Nyanti Tuan US$500 each for failure to state reasons why they didn’t show up in court as expected on June 6, 2023, and why they did not give any written notice to the High court.

Since they were represented by the solicitor General who informed members of the Supreme Court Bench that the two Ministers held in contempt traveled out of Liberia, that same day for an official duty, the high court decided to fine them including the solicitor General, who represented them.

However, on Tuesday, June 20, the Justice Minister, along with the information Minister Ledgerhood Rennie, appeared before the Supreme Court, and begging for mercy, apologized for his recent statement against the judiciary that led to his Contempt charge.

 Minister Dean said it was not their intent to bring the court and the judiciary bench to public ridicule.

Both Ministers of Justice and Information Minister were expected to appear before the full bench of the Supreme Court to show cause why they should not be held in contempt after bringing the Judiciary to public disrepute following the non-guilty verdict in favor of the four defendants in the US$100 million cocaine case.

According to Minister Dean, his statement was only intended to point out the non-guilty verdict of the jurors listening to the case, and he was calling on the Legislature to pass laws for the reform of the jury system.

On June 6, 2023, the high court fined the Minister of Information Ledgerhood Rennie and the Solicitor General designate Nyanti Tuan US$500 each for their failure to appear before the court.