The Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, Montserrado County, has found the Inspector General of Police, Col. Gregory Coleman, guilty of criminal contempt for defying a lawful mandate.
Assigned Circuit Judge, Peter W. Gbeneweleh, ruled that Col. Coleman failed to appear before the court to explain his non-compliance with a previous order—an act the judge described as “an affront to the authority of the court and highly contemptuous”.
The court fined the Police Chief US$300, to be paid into government’s revenue within 72 hours, and failure to comply will trigger a writ of arrest, placing Coleman in the custody of the Sheriff.
The ruling further directed the Sheriff to serve mandates on the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court to enforce judgment in the civil case, “The Intestate Estate of the Late Batune Keita vs. The Intestate Estate of the Late Mohammed Kamara, administered by Matelja M. Murh”.
Judge Gbeneweleh emphasized that public officials must uphold the rule of law and comply swiftly with judicial orders. “This court calls upon the Inspector General to always enter compliance with the competent jurisdiction with urgency,” the ruling observed.