MONROVIA, LIBERIA-A man identified as Sebastian Kettor, has been ordered to proceed to the office of Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyeneh Yuoh for investigation, for purporting to be a lawyer.
Suspect Sebastian, who is usually seen around Brewerville Magisterial Court purporting to be a lawyer is not a lawyer, according to the statement issued on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court has accordingly requested all courts not to entertain Sebastian Kettor’s appearance as a lawyer in any case and advised the public not to do business with him.
In another development, Chief Justice Yuoh has replaced Associate Justice Cienah Clinton Johnson, with Justice Yamie Gbeisay, as Justice in Chambers of the Supreme Court, for its October Term.
Associate Justice Clinton Johnson’s replacement, was through a communication on September 3, 2024, after she was earlier announced on August 29, 2024, as Justice in Chambers, during the closing of the Supreme Court for its March Term.
No reasons were given for the change, but Chapter 2, Section 2.6 of the Judiciary Law gives the Chief Justice the power to appoint Associate Justices in Chambers.
At the same time, the Justice in Chambers at the Supreme Court, Yamie Gbeisay, has placed a Stay Order on the 33 million United States dollars criminal case involving a Chinese National at the 10th Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarpolu County.
The Justice in Chambers’ September 3, 2024 Order, instructed Judge Wesseh A. Wesseh to stop all proceedings in the case, and later mandated the parties’ lawyers to appear for a legal conference on September 10, 2024.
The Justice’s decision was as a result of a petition for a Writ of Mandamus filed by prosecuting lawyers, against the assigned Judge at the 16th Circuit Court in Gbarpolu County.
Mandamus is a special proceeding that seeks to compel a public official to carry out his official duty in keeping with the law.
The Stay Order comes at a time when lawyers representing the Chinese National, Gao Feng, popularly known as “Real Minister”, filed a motion before the Court for a change of venue, as provided for by Chapter 5, Section 5.7 of the Criminal Procedure Law of Liberia.