In a landmark ruling, Liberia’s Supreme Court has cleared the way for the arrest of several high-profile former government officials, accused of orchestrating the illegal seizure and sale of a massive 53.34-carat diamond.

Supreme Court Clears Path for Arrest

The Supreme Court of Liberia has lifted a stay order that had temporarily halted legal proceedings, removing the final barrier to the arrest and prosecution of the accused [citation:5]. The court cancelled a previously scheduled conference and directed the Civil Law Court to “resume jurisdiction over the matter and proceed in accordance with the law” [citation:1][citation:5]. This decision rejects former Justice Minister Frank Musah Dean Jr.’s attempt to block his arrest, reaffirming the lower court’s authority to proceed [citation:5].

Ministers and Officials Facing Arrest

The following individuals have been ordered arrested and detained at the Monrovia Central Prison until they can fully account for the diamond’s whereabouts [citation:1]:

• Cllr. Frank Musah Dean Jr. – Former Minister of Justice / Attorney General
• Gersler E. Murray – Former Minister of Mines and Energy
• Emmanuel T.T. Swen – Former Assistant Minister for Mines
• Mustapha Tonkara – President, Diamond Dealers Association
• Ishaka “Shaka” Conneh – Also known as “Bakut”
• Korvah Baysah – Diamond Appraiser

Specifications of the Missing Diamond

The case revolves around a high-value diamond with the following specifications: Feature Specification Carat Weight 53.34 carats [citation:1] Reported Value Appraised at approximately US$1,003,880 [citation:7]. Some court records value it at US$11.5 million [citation:1]. Origin Discovered in Smith Town, Gbarma District, Gbarpolu County in 2022 [citation:5].

A “Criminal Cartel” and Legal Dispute

The Civil Law Court presiding judge, J. Boima Kontoe, described the accused as a “criminal cartel knitted through connivance, secrecy, and collusion” [citation:1][citation:5]. The scandal involves a complex legal battle over ownership. The Supreme Court had previously ruled that the diamond rightfully belonged to the original miners, T. David Sluward and Mohammed Kamara, as they had properly renewed their mining license [citation:1]. This ruling invalidated the government’s claim, led by former Minister Dean, that the gem was state property because the license had expired [citation:1][citation:7].

Despite the Supreme Court’s mandate, the diamond was allegedly appraised, certified, and sold outside Liberia under highly suspicious circumstances [citation:5]. The court alleges that Mustapha Tonkara falsified export documents, while appraiser Korvah Baysah issued a Kimberley Process certificate while concealing the buyer’s identity and key sale details, making the diamond untraceable [citation:1].