The long-running legal battle over the ownership of a 53.34-carat diamond discovered in Smith Town, Gbarpolu County, between Mr. David Sluward and Mr. Mohammed Kamara on one hand and the government of Liberia on the other hand has taken a significant turn as the Supreme Court of Liberia reserved its ruling on the case.
The dispute centers on a diamond valued at approximately US$10.7 million, placing the government of Liberia in opposition to private claimants and raising critical questions about the country’s mining laws and the integrity of its legal processes.
This case has become a focal point for public controversy and legal debate, reaching the Supreme Court after a ruling by Civil Law Court Judge Kennedy Peabody. Judge Peabody had ordered the diamond to be returned to its finder, Mohammed Kamara, commonly known as JR, who discovered it on Claim 12-FS in Gbarpolu County. The ruling, which was seen as a significant win for Kamara, was swiftly challenged by the government.
On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the full bench of the Supreme Court heard arguments from both sides. Solicitor General Cllr. Augustine Fayiah, representing the government, argued that the diamond belong to the state because the mining license for Claim 12-FS had expired prior to the diamond’s discovery. According to Fayiah, under Liberia’s mining laws, if a claim holder’s license expires and is not renewed within a year, the government assumes ownership of any minerals found on that claim.
“The 53.34-carat diamond was discovered in Claim 12-FS, whose license had expired before the discovery was made,” Fayiah argued. “As per the Ministry of Mines and the country’s mining regulations, the diamond belongs to the state.”
Fayiah’s interpretation of the law has sparked intense debate, with critics questioning the validity of the government’s claim. In response, former Associate Justice, Cllr. Kabineh Ja’neh, representing the claimants, argued that the government’s position lacked sufficient legal foundation.
Ja’neh pointed out that the Ministry of Justice had failed to establish that the owner of Claim 12-FS had not renewed their license before the diamond’s discovery. He further argued that the government had overstepped its authority by seizing the diamond without following the appropriate legal procedures.
“There is no mining law that supports the Solicitor General’s argument,” Ja’neh contended.
Ja’neh also reminded the Court that former Justice Minister Cllr. Frank Musa Dean had made the decision to confiscate the diamond without consulting the proper legal channels or the claimants. This, Ja’neh argued, violated the principles of fairness and due process.
The diamond’s discovery in Smith Town has garnered significant public attention, and the legal battle surrounding it has only intensified its importance. The government’s position, as articulated by Fayiah, hinges on a narrow interpretation of the mining law, which could set a precedent for future cases involving the discovery of minerals on expired or unrenewed claims.
However, Ja’neh and his colleagues contend that the case is not just about technicalities; it is about broader issues of property rights, transparency, and the balance of power between the state and private citizens. Ja’neh emphasized that the government had failed to present a convincing legal argument for the diamond’s ownership.
The case has captivated the public not only due to its financial stakes but also because it raises important questions about the effectiveness of Liberia’s mining laws, governance, and the role of the government in private property disputes. As the Supreme Court reserves its judgment, this case could set a crucial precedent for Liberia’s mining industry and the future of property rights in the country.
