Published: November 17, 2025
Temple of Justice, Monrovia — The Sixth Judicial Circuit Court on Friday sentenced sixteen people to one month each at the Monrovia Central Prison after finding them guilty of criminal contempt for violently obstructing officers enforcing a Supreme Court-ordered eviction in Paynesville.
Presiding Judge Peter W. Gbeneweleh, speaking during the hearing at the Civil Law Court Annex A, condemned what he called repeated acts of aggression against court personnel and warned that the judiciary “will no longer tolerate resistance to lawful mandates.”
Violence During Second Enforcement Attempt
The convictions stem from a November 13 operation to enforce a Supreme Court directive restoring possession of a disputed Paynesville property to the Intestate Estate of Batune Keita. The enforcement team — the Civil Law Court sheriff, Liberia National Police officers and a licensed surveyor — was met with violent resistance from individuals believed to be acting on behalf of the Intestate Estate of the late Mamadee M. Kamara.
All sixteen defendants were arrested on the scene and charged with criminal contempt. They are Abraham Jalloh, Imam Abu Kamara, Osman Toure, Sekou S. Kamara, Alpha Kamara, Mohammed Kromah, Hassan Kamara, Prince Roberts, Mohammed Diakateh, Mohammed A. Kamara, Ousmane, James Fallah, Dawuda Kamara, Sekou Kamara, Lusane Kamara and Secka Kromah.
Court Cites Pattern of Attacks
Judge Gbeneweleh noted that the November 13 confrontation was not isolated. On September 27, 2025, bailiffs executing a Writ of Possession were attacked with stones, forcing the team to retreat. The court later sought police reinforcement on October 2 following threats to officers’ safety.
Earlier in the dispute, seven individuals were also arrested; four were sentenced to 14 days but released early after community interventions. Despite warnings, violence continued.
Defendants Plead for Mercy
During Friday’s hearing, Cllr. Richard Scott, representing the Ministry of Justice, argued that the defendants intentionally undermined judicial authority. Defense lawyer Atty. Fofee V. Kamara apologized on their behalf, citing the hardship they endured while in custody.
Several defendants pleaded personally for leniency. “We regret our action and it will never be repeated,” said Mohammed A. Kamara. “We are asking the court to please forgive us,” added Hassan Kamara.
Judge Gbeneweleh said previous apologies had been followed by renewed attacks and stressed that the rule of law “cannot be held hostage by violence.” While the law allows up to five months’ imprisonment for contempt, he imposed a one-month sentence in consideration of the pleas. Commitment orders were issued immediately.
Longstanding Land Dispute Nears Final Enforcement
The sentencing marks a new chapter in the long-running land dispute between the estates of Batune Keita and Mamadee M. Kamara. In 2020, administrator Mohammed Tanji Keita petitioned the Civil Law Court, alleging the Kamara estate had illegally occupied two lots purchased by his late father in 1989.
A survey conducted by surveyor Samuel W. Danway Jr. confirmed that several structures — including the EcoBank building — sat on Keita property. The Civil Law Court ruled in favor of the Keita estate, and the Supreme Court affirmed the decision, ordering the eviction of all unlawful occupants and the restoration of full possession to the Keita family.
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