By Precious D. Freeman
The Grievance and Ethics Committee of the Judiciary has cleared the Minister of Labor, Cooper Kruah, of ethical misconduct and conflict of interest accusations.
The allegations were filed by Madam Josephine T. Power, a resident of Freetown, Sierra Leone.
After weeks of investigation, the committee concluded that Madam Power’s complaint lacked sufficient evidence to support her claims, ruling that “there is no ethical violation committed by Minister Kruah”
The Grievance and Ethics Committee, an auxiliary body established within the judiciary, is tasked with investigating complaints against lawyers for violations of judicial canons.
Madam Power alleged that in March 2012, she hired Cllr. Kruah to represent her in a dispute involving a truckload of rubber transported from Kenema, Sierra Leone, to Liberia by one Juliet Rebecca Eze.
The truck was seized and impounded at the Temple of Justice under Cllr. Kruah’s intervention. However, Madam Power claimed that Cllr. Kruah later withdrew from representing her, citing a conflict of interest as both she and Madam Eze were his clients.
She accused Cllr. Kruah of orchestrating the sale of the impounded rubber, with the proceeds allegedly paid to Madam Eze instead of her.
The investigation revealed that the dispute centered on rubber from a farm operated by Madam Power four years prior to the truck’s seizure.
Evidence showed that Madam Eze had brought the rubber to Liberia for sale.
The Grievance and Ethics Committee noted that the truck’s arrest under a magisterial writ appeared to be a case of “mistaken identity.”
Court records showed that the Civil Law Court, not Cllr. Kruah, directed the attachment and eventual auction of the rubber.
Proceeds from the sale were disbursed under the orders of the late Chief Justice Johnnie N. Lewis. The court awarded a portion of the revenue to Madam Eze and the remaining proceeds to MARDCO, a company represented by Cllr. Kruah’s law firm and two others in a prior case involving accounting disputes.
“There is no evidence that Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah assisted in the criminal complaint of theft of property or engaged in any unethical conduct,” the committee concluded.
Cllr. Kruah denied the allegations, describing them as “false, misleading, and intended to damage my character.”
He argued that Madam Power provided no documentation proving he was retained as her lawyer for the rubber case or that the rubber originated from her farm.
Cllr. Kruah further stated that the seizure and auction of the rubber were matters handled by the Civil Law Court as part of a separate judgment enforcement related to MARDCO.
He emphasized that all legal proceedings adhered to court directives, and the disbursement of funds was properly authorized.
The minister also highlighted his prior professional relationship with Madam Power, noting his assistance in unrelated legal matters, such as leasing a property in King Gray Community.
The ruling by the Grievance and Ethics Committee clears Cllr. Kruah of all misconduct accusations, reinforcing the integrity of his legal and ministerial career.
The committee’s decision underscores the importance of evidence-based complaints and reaffirms the judiciary’s commitment to upholding ethical standards.
