Former Minister of Justice, Cllr. Musa Dean, has strongly refuted recent allegations linking him to the controversial handling of a diamond transaction, clarifying that the matter was exclusively managed by the Ministry of Mines and Energy and not by the Ministry of Justice. In a statement to reporters, Cllr. Dean emphasized that his role was limited to providing a legal opinion at the time, which was based on a thorough internal review and legal assessment. He explained that his recommendations were ultimately disregarded, and the transaction proceeded as a private sale outside the purview of the Ministry of Justice.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that the Ministry of Justice did not seize the diamond, nor did it oversee or authorize the transaction,” Dean stated. “The handling of the diamond was entirely under the authority of the Ministry of Mines and Energy.” Cllr. Dean described claims by Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus, as “inaccurate and misleading,” stressing that the narrative being advanced is an attempt to distort past events for political or personal reasons. “Cllr. Cephus said he was not a CDCIAN, yet President Weah appointed me Minister of Justice.
He further claimed that I placed him under sanction. Ludicrous,” Dean remarked, dismissing the allegations as baseless. Cllr. Dean’s statement follows reports of his arrest and questioning in connection with the diamond sale, a matter that has stirred public debate over accountability and transparency in the handling of Liberia’s natural resources. He reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the rule of law and transparency, noting that his record as Minister of Justice reflects integrity and professionalism. “My service to the Liberian people was guided by law, not politics,” Dean concluded.
