MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Chief Justice Sie-Nyene Yuoh has directed Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of Criminal Court ‘A’ to investigate the controversial issuance of a writ of search and seizure targeting the home of former President George M. Weah and the headquarters of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC). The writ, which reportedly led to protests in Monrovia on Thursday, August 22, 2024, was allegedly issued by the West Point Magisterial Court without proper authorization.
During a hearing at the Temple of Justice on Friday, August 23, 2024, it was revealed that the search and seizure writ was issued by an assistant clerk from the West Point Magisterial Court without the knowledge or approval of the court’s three magistrates or the city solicitor. According to Liberian legal procedures, a writ of search and seizure requires an application and affidavit from a requesting party, which must be approved by the city solicitor. However, preliminary findings indicated that the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA) had not submitted any such application or affidavit.
The West Point Magisterial Court was represented at the hearing by its three magistrates, led by Stipendiary Magistrate Cllr. Jomah S. Jallah. The magistrates firmly denied any involvement in or awareness of the issuance of the writ, which allegedly targeted the home of former President Weah and the CDC headquarters in Oldest Congo Town.
During the proceedings, the assistant clerk admitted to drafting and signing the writ but claimed that it was unauthorized. He alleged that the writ was taken from his desk by officers of the LDEA without following the proper legal procedures, including the required application, affidavit, and judge’s approval stamp.
The procedural irregularities surrounding the issuance of the writ have sparked public outrage and raised serious concerns. According to Liberian law, any application for a search and seizure writ must be properly documented and approved by the relevant court authorities. The situation has been further complicated by allegations that the city solicitor of the West Point Magisterial Court, Moses Swion, was not informed about the issuance of the writ, despite his role in providing legal oversight.
Chief Justice Yuoh has suspended the matter pending the outcome of Judge Willie’s investigation. Meanwhile, the assistant clerk and the bailiff who accompanied the writ have been released from custody. The investigation aims to clarify the events that led to the issuance of the writ and address any procedural violations that contributed to the unrest on Thursday.
