Monrovia, Liberia – February 14, 2026 — Justine Oldpa Yeazeahn, widely known as Prophet Key, has begun serving a six-month prison sentence at Monrovia Central Prison commonly called South Beach after being found guilty of criminal contempt of court by the Supreme Court of Liberia.
The ruling, handed down on Friday, February 13, followed a Full Bench hearing where Prophet Key was summoned to explain why he should not be held in contempt for comments he made in a social media livestream. Prosecutors and the court said his statements included derogatory remarks targeting Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay and his family, and publicly accusing the Supreme Court of corruption conduct the judiciary deemed to undermine the dignity and authority of the judiciary.
Shortly after the ruling, video and photo posts on social media showed security officers escorting Prophet Key to South Beach to begin his custodial sentence, which runs through August 13, 2026.
Details of the Sentence
In addition to the custodial term, the Supreme Court ordered Prophet Key to:
• Publish a formal apology in three Liberian daily newspapers for five consecutive days.
• Sign a behavior bond pledging not to make further offensive or derogatory remarks against any Liberian woman.
Reaction Across Liberia
Public reaction has been divided:
• Supporters of the ruling, including civic and women’s advocacy groups, praised the decision as a stand against hate speech and personal attacks on public figures.
• Critics and press freedom advocates have expressed concern, arguing that punishing social commentary with imprisonment could set a precedent that chills freedom of expression in Liberia’s evolving digital landscape. Some social media users and analysts argued that the ruling may conflict with constitutional protections for speech, especially as more Liberians use online platforms to discuss public affairs.
Context
Prophet Key rose to prominence as a popular podcaster and online commentator, known for outspoken criticism of political leaders, public institutions, and national issues. His supporters say his content reflects growing public debate, while opponents argue it sometimes crosses into personal insult and incitement.
Legal analysts now say the case may influence future debates on how Liberia balances respect for the judiciary with citizens’ rights to free speech, especially in a media environment increasingly shaped by digital platforms.
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