By Precious D. Freeman
The ongoing US$700,000 libel case against Ecobank-Liberia took a significant turn on Monday, January 6, when the bank’s request to add the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) as co-defendants was denied by Judge Scheaplor Dunbar of the Civil Law Court.
Ecobank had filed a motion for joinder of party, arguing that both LISGIS and MFDP should be included in the lawsuit because the disputed bank account at the center of the case belongs to the Government of Liberia, not the plaintiff, Wilmot Smith.
In its motion, Ecobank maintained that the account in question is not a personal account owned by Smith but is instead held in the name of LISGIS, a government agency.
“The said account does not bear the name of Smith. Rather, the account in question is for and in the name of LISGIS, an agency of the government,” Ecobank stated in its argument.
The bank further alleged that the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) had communicated with the bank concerning the account, an accusation the bank denied in a written response to the Ministry.
Ecobank distanced itself from allegations of leaking or publishing the account statements in the media, emphasizing that it had dismissed its former employee, Yussif Kromah, a co-defendant in the case, over his alleged involvement.
“Since the government is the owner of the subject account, acting by and thru LISGIS and the MFDP, it is best positioned to interpose response to Smith’s complaint in order to accord complete relief in the case,” Ecobank argued in court.
The bank concluded its plea by requesting the court to join LISGIS and MFDP as co-defendants in compliance with Section 5.5(1) of the Civil Procedure Law.
Despite Ecobank’s arguments, Judge Scheaplor Dunbar denied the motion, effectively keeping LISGIS and MFDP out of the case.
The judge did not provide extensive reasons for the denial during the hearing, but legal analysts suggest the court may have determined that the existing defendants are sufficient for the matter at hand.
The libel case stems from claims made by Smith, who alleges that his reputation was damaged following the alleged mishandling and publication of sensitive financial information linked to the LISGIS’ account.
Smith is seeking US$700,000 in damages from Ecobank and its co-defendants, including former employee Yussif Kromah.
With LISGIS and MFDP excluded from the case, legal proceedings are expected to continue with Ecobank and the remaining defendants.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about financial data privacy and accountability within Liberia’s banking sector.
The court is expected to set the next hearing date soon as both parties prepare to present their arguments in what has become one of the most closely watched legal battles in recent months.
