By By: Staff Writer
Monrovia, — A senior legal scholar and dean has filed a civil lawsuit for damages stemming from alleged libel against a Monrovia-based social commentator and a second defendant.
Cllr. Arthur T. Johnson, also known as Prof. Dr. Arthur T. Johnson — Counselor-at-Law, Professor of Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure, and Dean of Graduate Studies — lodged an “Action of Damages for Wrong and Libel” at the Sixth Judicial Circuit Civil Law Court for Montserrado County. The case is scheduled for the court’s June Term, A.D. 2026, before Resident Circuit Judge J. Kennedy Peabody.
The defendants named in the filing are James Samuel Goodday Flomo, described in court documents as a social commentator, media personality, Facebook publisher, and administrator of a public Facebook page accessible both in and outside Liberia, and Abdulkadi Titita Alieu Sesay.
According to the document filed with the Clerk of Court, Daniel Y. McGill, on May 25, 2026 at 4:09 PM, the plaintiff’s written directions instruct the court to issue a Writ of Summons. The writ would compel the defendants to appear before the Sixth Judicial Circuit Civil Law Court during its June Term to answer the complaint. The filing notes that failure to appear could result in a default judgment against the defendants.
The court documents indicate that the plaintiff submitted a complaint, exhibits, and affidavits as part of the filing. Specific details of the alleged libelous statements were not contained in the written directions obtained.
The case highlights growing legal tensions around public commentary and social media use in Liberia, as public figures increasingly turn to the courts to address claims of reputational harm.
The defendants have not yet filed a formal response. Under court procedure, they will be required to submit a formal appearance and answer once served with the summons.
The Sixth Judicial Circuit Civil Law Court sits at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.
