A legal storm is brewing in Liberia, as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has openly contradicted a Supreme Court’s ruling prohibiting interference in a binding contract between the Modern Development and Management Corporation (MDMC) and the Ministry of Transport (MoT).
The Supreme Court had issued a writ of prohibition on January 27, 2025, restraining any government entity from undermining MDMC’s legal contract for producing vehicle registration documents and driver’s licenses.
Despite this judicial mandate, the Ministry of Justice has announced that effective February 3, 2025 all vehicle registrations and driver’s licenses will be exclusively processed by Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated (LTM)—an entity not recognized in the court’s ruling.
This action has sparked serious concerns over the government’s commitment to upholding judicial decisions, and has raised alarms about the rule of law in Liberia.
The writ of prohibition issued by Justice in Chambers, His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbissay, states that the Government of Liberia (GOL), through its agencies, must cease all actions interfering with MDMC’s contract; and the Ministry of Transport is barred from initiating any new bidding process for vehicle registration and driver’s licensing.
A hearing has been scheduled for February 5, 2025, to address any outstanding legal matters.
However, the Ministry of Justice’s latest directive ordering the public to only register vehicles and obtain licenses through LTM from February 3 stands in direct violation of the court’s ruling.
MDMC’s management has expressed grave concern, emphasizing that the Ministry of Justice’s defiance threatens the integrity of Liberia’s business environment and investor confidence.
“This action is a blatant disregard for the rule of law. The Supreme Court’s ruling must be respected to maintain a fair and just business climate in Liberia,” stated a senior MDMC official.
Prominent legal analysts argue that the Ministry of Justice’s move could result in contempt proceedings against officials responsible.
The Supreme Court retains the authority to enforce its orders, including issuing contempt charges against government officials who fail to comply.
With the February 5, 2025 Supreme Court hearing approaching, the Judiciary now faces mounting pressure to reaffirm its authority and prevent Executive overreach.
The Ministry of Justice’s defiance not only challenges a specific court order but also sets a dangerous precedent for future legal disputes in Liberia.
As tensions escalate, the public and business community await a decisive judicial intervention to ensure that the rule of law prevails over political maneuvering.