-WONGOSOL Warns That Justice for Chief Justice Must Extend to All Women
Monrovia, Liberia – As a self-styled prophet begins a six-month prison sentence for contempt of court, Liberia’s leading women’s rights organization, WONGOSOL is urging Liberians to view the case not as the resolution of a high-profile insult, but as a critical test of whether equal justice exists for all women, regardless of their status.
The Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) has broken its silence on the indictment and contempt proceedings involving Justin Oldpa Yeazehn, known as “Prophet Key,” who was sentenced by the Supreme Court for relentless social media attacks against the Chief Justice and his mother.
While WONGOSOL unequivocally condemns the verbal abuse and misogynistic attacks that led to the prosecution, the organization highlights a stark disparity in the justice system. “While this matter has attracted national attention because it involves the Chief Justice and Associate Judges, WONGOSOL urges that accountability must not be selective,” the organization stated. “In this instance, the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices were in a position to seek legal redress; however, many other Liberian women and citizens who are subjected to similar verbal abuse and harassment lack the means, access, or protection to pursue justice.”
The case stems from repeated social media rants by Mr. Yeazehn, who appeared before the Court, admitted wrongdoing, and was found guilty of contempt. The Court’s swift and decisive action sends a strong message about the protection of judicial dignity.
However, WONGOSOL argues that this case should serve as a watershed moment for the nation, expanding the conversation from the protection of powerful individuals to the safeguarding of every woman.
The organization stressed that the abusive conduct leveled in this case—involving insults, intimidation, and degradation—is a daily reality for countless Liberian women who lack the resources to fight back.
“When public platforms are used to degrade women, ridicule them, intimidate them, or turn insults into entertainment, such conduct normalizes violence and erodes the moral and social fabric of our nation,” the statement read.
“This behavior is not ‘just talk.’ It constitutes harmful conduct that can incite threats, stigmatize women in leadership, and silence women’s participation in public life.” WONGOSOL emphasized that the case carries a profound lesson for the public, particularly the youth. The organization warned that indulging in abusive conduct not only harms its direct targets but also “poisons the mindset of young people, especially boys, who are socialized to believe that disrespect and harassment are acceptable forms of expression.”
Reaffirming its support for the rule of law, WONGOSOL called on all Liberians to exercise restraint and responsibility when exercising their constitutional right to freedom of expression. The organization pointed to the 1986 Constitution, which holds citizens fully responsible for the abuse of that right.
Looking forward, WONGOSOL is demanding that the seriousness applied in this case be replicated whenever any woman is verbally abused, threatened, harassed, or humiliated—whether online or offline. The group is calling for strengthened national responses to online violence, including improved reporting mechanisms, survivor-centered psychosocial support, and public education on digital citizenship.
“This moment must serve as a deterrent to all who believe they can assault women’s dignity and attack institutions without consequence,” WONGOSOL concluded. “Liberia must send a clear and unified message that public abuse is not a badge of courage but misconduct with real legal and social consequences.”
The Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) is a national umbrella organization comprising over 250 women-led and women-focused civil society organizations across all fifteen counties of Liberia.
