LIBERIA: Over Failure to Lift Designation On Omega Insurance Group Incorporated Supreme Court orders Arrest of Financial Intelligence Agency Boss

The Supreme Court of Liberia, under the direction of Associate Justice Jamesetta Howard-Wolokollie, has issued a warrant for the arrest of Stanley Ford, Director General of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA).
In court documents dated December 28, 2023, Justice Howard Wolokollie directed the Supreme Court’s Marshal, Brigadier General Amos B. Kesseh Dickson, Sr., to arrest Mr. Ford due to his non-compliance with the court’s mandate to remove the ban on Omega Insurance Group, Incorporated.
The order stated: “By directive of Her Honor Jamesetta H. Wolokolie, Associate Justice Presiding in Chambers, Supreme Court of the Republic of Liberia, you are hereby commanded to arrest the living body of Stanley S. Ford, For Contempt of Court for his failure to lift the designation placed on Omega lnsurance Group, lnc, as per the Chambers Justice’s Order of December 20,2023.’’
“If arrested on a non-working day, Sunday, holiday or during the night time, he should be detained at the nearest police station or depot and forwarded to the office of the Marshal, Supreme Court of Liberia, on the next working day at the hour of 10:00 a.m.”
In May 2022, the FIA had designated Ganjay L. Ananaba, Managing Director of Omega Group of Insurance, and his entity for alleged failure to comply with anti-money laundering/terrorist financing reporting obligations. Subsequently, the FIA recommended the suspension of Omega’s operating license to prevent potential financial system abuse.
Omega and Mr. Ananaba sought relief from the Supreme Court, filing a petition for a writ of prohibition. Justice Wolokolie ordered Director General Ford to present reasons against granting Omega’s request and temporarily lifted the prohibition pending case resolution.