Judge Kennedy Peabody of the Civil Law Court at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia on Tuesday, July 18, imposed two separate fines on the management of Spoon Network and on some of its employees.
For the network’s management, the Judge mandated that they pay US$1000; while staffers Alicia Dennis Flomo, Aaron Tarlue, Patricia Darpoh and Gibson Zahia were mandated, too, to pay US$300 each. These monies are to be paid into government’s coffer within 24 hours after the fines were imposed.
It can be recalled that on Friday, July 14, Judge Peabody ordered the closure of Spoon TV and FM Communications Network after a complaint filed by the former Deputy Director General for Information Coordination at the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-information Services, Mr. Wilmot Smith for the action of damages, slander, and libel.
It was alleged that during the execution of the court’s order on that Friday, some staffs and management of Spoon Network attacked and rained insults on the court officers, who had gone to effect the court’s order. It also alleged that the media entity’s staffers, too, rained insults at the Judge.
On Monday, July 17, evening, Judge Peabody issued a Writ of Summon on the Management of Spoon Network and some staff to show cause, why they should not be held in contempt of court if any.
On Tuesday, July 18, the network’s management, along with some of its staffers appeared in court with their lawyers base on the writ of summon.
Lawyers representing Spoon Communications and the staffs pleaded for mercy before Judge Peabody.
It was following their plead, that Judge Peabody ruled imposing a US$1000 and US$300 fines to be paid in government revenue within twenty-four hours.
Friday Event
According to the writ, the Management of Spoon and Mr. Stanton Witherspoon should be arrested and be placed under custody if they fail to show property to cover the amount of US$5,250,000.00 one-half (1½) times of US$3,500.000.00 of the amount sued.
Defendant Witherspoon and the management of Spoon Communication Networks were sued for alleged damages against the former Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo – Information Services Deputy Director General for Information Coordination, Mr. Wilmot Smith.
They were sued at the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court for Montserrado for Action of damages for Slander and Libel.
The writ said, “The Management of Spoon TV and FM Communication Network of the City of Monrovia, Montserrado County, Liberia, 1st Defendant, Mr. Stanton Witherspoon, also of the City of Monrovia, 2nd Defendant of the City of Monrovia, Montserrado County, Liberia,
Defendants in the case cause of action to the amount of US5,250,000.00 one one-half times of US$3.500.000.00 of the amount sued for there of being to cover principal and costs of these proceedings and you will return this Writ to my office on or before the 20 day of A.D. 2023.
Government’s Response
Meanwhile, minutes after the closure and subsequent statement by the Unity Party, the Government of Liberia clarified that it is not a party to the lawsuit brought against the Management of the Spoon Network, which saw the closure of the station’s premises in Monrovia.
The GoL understands that the suit was instead filed months ago by Smith, who once served as Deputy Director General at LISGIS.
Mr. Smith stated in his lawsuit that following his dismissal from the LISGIS for “Administrative Reasons” by President George M. Weah, the station used its network to defame his reputation, characterizing him as a “Criminal”.
The case involving the two parties was brought before the court and has been ongoing for several months.
The Government of Liberia re-emphasizes that it respects the right to freedom of speech and of the press as it has always demonstrated, but is also cognizant of the fact that an individual feeling injured by the work of a media entity also has the right to seek redress under the laws of Liberia.
