MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Activist Martin K. N. Kollie says the Supreme Court of Liberia has overturned a US$50,000 damages judgment previously entered against him, giving him and his co-defendant, Alex Williams, a fresh opportunity to defend themselves in the lower court.
Kollie announced the development while welcoming what he described as a significant victory in the legal battle.
According to the activist, the Supreme Court determined that he and Williams should not have been tried together and directed that the matter return to the lower court for separate proceedings.
The ruling means the two defendants will now have an opportunity to present their respective defenses with the assistance of their lawyers.
Kollie said the Supreme Court’s decision also leaves intact the damages awarded against Ecobank, meaning the bank-related portion of the judgment was not affected by the ruling he described.
The latest development reverses a major setback previously faced by Kollie in the case, after the US$50,000 damages judgment against him drew public attention and criticism.
The activist used his reaction to the Supreme Court decision to challenge those who had publicly criticized him over the earlier judgment.
He urged his critics and others who reported on the initial ruling to give the same attention to the latest court development.
For Kollie, however, the legal battle extends beyond the immediate dispute before the courts.
He has linked the case to his broader campaign against drug trafficking and what he alleges is the existence of a powerful drug network operating in Liberia.
The activist has repeatedly framed his anti-drug advocacy around the human consequences of narcotics, particularly families affected by addiction, drug-related deaths and the loss of young people.
He said his campaign is driven by the experiences of Liberian families who have suffered such losses and maintained that his advocacy will continue despite the legal challenges surrounding him.
Kollie also renewed his demand for accountability, arguing that individuals implicated in corruption or the illegal drug trade should not receive protection because of their status or connections.
The Supreme Court’s decision does not, by itself, resolve the underlying dispute.
With the matter returned to the lower court, Kollie and Williams now face another stage of litigation in which their individual defenses can be presented.
The activist welcomed the opportunity, saying his faith remains firmly placed in God as he prepares to continue the legal fight.
The case will now return to the lower court for further proceedings.
