The Supreme Court has ordered a halt to all transactions and operations between the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Traffic Management (LTM).
This decision follows a serious legal dispute stemming from the Justice Minister’s defiance of a court-issued writ of prohibition.
On January 27, 2025, the Modern Development and Management Corporation (MDMC), a private entity, filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Justice.
The lawsuit was in response to what they considered to be an overstep of authority by the Ministry in regards to vehicle registration and driver’s licenses, instructing a foreign company to take over Liberian Heritage that is perfectly controlled and operated by the Ministry of Transport.
The MDMC claimed that, the Justice Minister had violated the writ of prohibition that was issued by the court earlier in the month.
A writ of prohibition, a legal order that directs a party to cease or refrain from certain actions, was granted by the Supreme Court of Liberia to prevent any further unauthorized activity concerning the LTM’s operations.
However, instead of complying with the writ, Liberia’s Justice Minister issued a public press release on January 27, 2025, instructing the public to proceed with vehicle registration and obtaining driver’s licenses through the LTM despite the clear directive from the highest court to the contrary.
This bold action not only disregarded the court’s writ but also raised questions about the Justice Minister’s personal interests and the potential misuse of power in matters related to traffic management.
The public announcement led to an immediate backlash from various legal and civil society groups who saw this as an attempt to undermine the authority of the judiciary.
Critics argued that the Justice Minister’s actions created a conflict of interest and a potential legal quagmire, suggesting that there may have been personal or political motives behind the decision to push forward with the LTM’s operations despite the court’s prohibition.
In response, on January 30, the Justice in Chamber at the Supreme Court of Liberia, Yamie Quiqui Gbassie, issued an additional writ of prohibition.
The new writ mandated that the Justice Minister must immediately cease any further dealings or instructions regarding the LTM’s vehicle registration and driver’s license processes.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court explicitly threatened to hold the Justice Minister in contempt of court if he failed to comply with this latest ruling.
The development has sparked intense debate in legal and political circles.
Some have expressed concern over the perceived erosion of trust between branches of the government, others see this as a necessary step to reinforce the independence of the judiciary.
The threat of contempt looms large, adding weight to the seriousness of the Supreme Court’s directive.
The public’s reaction remains mixed as some view the actions of the Justice Minister as an overreach of power, while others argue that the government’s efforts to streamline public services like vehicle registration and driver’s licensing should not be hindered by legal technicalities.
Meanwhile, the legal battle between the Ministry of Justice and the Modern Development and Management Corporation is far from over, as the legal implications of this case continue to unfold.
The Justice Minister’s defiance of the Supreme Court’s writ raises pressing questions about accountability, transparency, and the separation of powers in Liberia’s democratic institutions.
Additionally, all eyes are on the government’s respond to the court’s order, whether the Justice Minister will comply or face the consequences of contempt.
This case has not only become a legal showdown but a significant test of the rule of law in Liberia.
