Justice Minister Frank Musa Dean faces a conundrum

Monrovia, Liberia – In the wake of controversy surrounding his nomination by Liberian Leader President George M. Weah, Criminal Court ‘A’ presiding Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie has charged Minister of Justice Cllr. Frank Musa Dean with contempt of court.

On Thursday, January 4, 2024, Judge Willie announced the date of the sentencing hearing and the trial’s final judgement. He also gave the probation officer instructions to investigate the four defendants and turn in their report by January 4, 2024, at the latest, following the closing arguments in the murder case involving former Chief Justice Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott and three other family members on December 21, 2023.

On Thursday, January 4, 2024, Judge Willie told the court that, despite his instructions to the probation officer, the court has not received an investigative report from the probation officer as of today, since the twelve-member jury panel returned a majority guilty verdict against Councilman Scott and four other family members on December 21, 2023.

But according to Judge Willie, the probation officer told the court over the phone that the Ministry of Justice has not been able to allocate money for him and his staff to look into the four offenders since he received the order on December 27, 2023.

The presiding Judge of Court “A” implied that the Ministry of Justice, under the direction of Cllr. Frank Musu Dean, had disregarded his order in a disrespectful and discourteous manner.

In addition, he directed the court clerk to issue a writ of contempt against Justice Minister Cllr. Dean and the Director of Probation, requiring them to appear and provide justification for not being found in contempt of court.

On Tuesday, January 5, 2024, at 10:30 AM, the contempt hearing is scheduled to take place at the Temple of Justice.

At 9:00 AM on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, there will be a sentencing hearing and final verdict in the murder trial involving Gloria Musu Scott, the former Chief Justice, and three other families.

Reported by: Watson G. Richards

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