GANTA, Nimba County — The Gompa Magisterial Court on Tuesday, September 29 sentenced former Ganta City Mayor Amos N. G. Suah to 30 days in jail and fined him US$100 for contempt after finding that his recent public remarks demeaned the court and risked inciting the public against the judiciary.
By Franklin Doloquee / Nimba County
Stipendiary Magistrate Cllr. Sam Nya Harris handed down the ruling. The court also ordered Suah to appear on three community radio stations in Ganta to retract and debunk his comments about the court.
The proceedings were represented on behalf of the Gompa Court by Cllr. Lawrence Suah. Amos Suah was represented by his lawyer.
Background and summons
In a summon dated September 24, the court had ordered Suah to appear on Tuesday, September 29 at 2:00 p.m. to “show cause” why he should not be punished for statements he made on the Day Break Gompa Program on Voice of Gompa.
The court said the remarks “demeaned, scandalized and lowered the authority of the Court” and could “incite members of the public to defy, resist or violently oppose the lawful order and authority of the Judiciary.”
The bench warned that failure to appear would result in arrest and further legal action.
Public reactions in Ganta
Hundreds of residents and traditional leaders from the Bain‑Garr Area gathered in Ganta ahead of the ruling. Many came out in solidarity with the former mayor. Some chiefs urged the magistrate to settle the matter locally, but the court declined their request.
Our Nimba County correspondent reported that residents crowded the streets as Suah was handcuffed and placed into a pickup bound for Sanniquellie Central Prison.
Eviction dispute and wider tensions
The contempt finding follows wider tensions in Ganta after an eviction last week left more than 15 families homeless.
The eviction was carried out under an order in the summary proceeding of the Intestate Estate of the Late Musa Toure (administrator Mohammed Toure) vs Mohammed Bility and Mr. Dorley. A motion for relief from judgment in that case is scheduled for hearing on December 20.
The eviction prompted a public dispute between Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay Sr. and former Mayor Suah. Chief Justice Gbeisay defended the magisterial court’s eviction order during an interview on Radio Voice of Gompa.
Suah responded publicly, calling Chief Justice Gbeisay a “security enemy” and urging President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to remove the Chief Justice. Suah also claimed, without offering evidence, that Chief Gbeisay is a citizen of Lofa County rather than Nimba County.
Chief Justice Gbeisay, in turn, accused Suah of selling public or government land in Ganta during his time as mayor and said he would inform the president before any enforcement action against those occupying government land.
The Chief Justice named former Superintendent David Door Cooper and the late Senator Prince Yormie Johnson among those he said benefited from land sales during Suah’s administration.
Developments in court testimony
During related proceedings, former Nimba County Superintendent David Door Cooper told the court that he and others returned a disputed parcel of land in Ganta to Amos Suah, a move presented as an attempt to resolve competing claims.
The matter remains before the courts as judges review documentary evidence and witness testimony.
Voices from Ganta
Residents expressed mixed views:
“If anyone speaks against the courts, they must be held accountable,” said Martha Kollie, a school teacher.
“Leaders should be free to criticize; that’s part of democracy,” said Solomon Tiah, a small-business owner, adding the court should publish the transcript or recording so the public can judge.
“One hour was not enough time to destroy their properties,” a community member said of the eviction, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Legal observers urged due process, noting courts may use contempt powers to protect the administration of justice but must not conflate strong criticism with criminal incitement.
What’s next
The contempt hearing concluded with the sentence and the radio-retraction order. The disputed property case remains scheduled for further proceedings on December 20.
Meanwhile, FrontPageAfrica(FPA) contacted the Office of the Chief Justice and the Office of the President for comment, but no official responses had been received by publication time.
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