Published: January 27, 2025
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia – Supreme Court Chamber Justice Yarmie Quiqui Gbeisay has ordered Judge Blamo Dixon of Criminal Court ‘C’ to recuse himself from the high-profile economic sabotage case involving former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and his co-defendants. The decision, according to Justice Gbeisay, stems from concerns about Judge Dixon’s neutrality.
Justice Gbeisay, in his ruling, highlighted observations from the case records that suggested Judge Dixon had conducted himself in a manner that raised questions about his impartiality, hinting at potential compromise. The decision to order recusal followed a writ of certiorari filed by government lawyers, challenging Judge Dixon’s handling of the property valuation bond hearing in the case.
“The alternative writ issued is hereby sustained, and the judge is ordered to recuse himself from further participation in the said case,” Justice Gbeisay ruled.
At the heart of the controversy is a statement made by Judge Dixon during the bond hearing. He remarked that the detention of co-defendant Samuel D. Tweah Jr. at the Monrovia Central Prison would help establish the prosecution’s case against the defendants. Prosecutors argued that such a statement breached the judge’s obligation to remain neutral, casting doubt on his ability to preside over the case impartially.
Additionally, the prosecution alleged that Judge Dixon failed to reject Tweah’s property valuation bond, which they described as legally defective. They further accused him of making repeated prejudicial and biased comments during the trial.
Justice Gbeisay, addressing the prosecution’s concerns, stated, “Recusal in our jurisdiction does not only hinge on blood relationships or prior interest in a case but also on a showing of bias or prejudice and a lack of neutrality on the part of the trial judge.” He emphasized that Judge Dixon’s comments and actions had created a reasonable perception of bias, warranting his removal for the sake of transparency and justice.
Justice Gbeisay added, “Every litigant, including the state in criminal cases, is entitled to nothing less than the cold neutrality of an impartial judge. If a judge’s conduct gives a party reasonable grounds to believe they will not receive a fair trial, the judge must recuse themselves to preserve the integrity of the judicial process.”
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