By Pewu Y. Sumo
MONROVIA, Liberia — Justin Oldpa Yeazehn, popularly known as “Prophet Key,” is on the verge of regaining his freedom from the Monrovia Central Prison, contingent on his full compliance with strict pre-release conditions mandated by the Supreme Court of Liberia.
Yeazehn was incarcerated on February 13, 2026, after the high court found him guilty of criminal contempt of court. The charges stemmed from severe verbal attacks and unproven corruption allegations directed at Supreme Court Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay Sr., Associate Justices, and the judiciary as a whole.
As his prison term nears its expected conclusion before the end of August, Yeazehn has begun taking steps toward satisfying the court’s mandates. In a handwritten letter dated July 28, 2026, written from behind bars, the contemnor offered a formal apology to the bench.
“I, Justin Oldpa Yeazehn, A.K.A. Prophet Key, take this time to apologize to the Honorable Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay Sr., the Associate Justices, His Honour Yussif D. Kaba, His Honor Boakai K. Kanneh, and especially my mothers, Honorable Associate Justices Jamesetta Howard Wolokolie and Ceaineh D. Clinton-Johnson respectively, judges, magistrates, and the Judiciary as a whole for saying that they are very corrupt without any proof,” Yeazehn wrote in the letter.
Legal Precedent and Constitutional Balancing
In its February 13 opinion, the Supreme Court addressed the legal boundaries of freedom of speech, balancing Articles 14 and 15 of the 1986 Constitution—which guarantee freedom of expression—against Article 5(b), which mandates the protection and promotion of positive Liberian culture and values.
The court noted that profanity, vulgarity, and unsubstantiated insults against public officials degrade judicial authority and fall outside the scope of protected expression. Citing the legal precedent IN RE: Francis G. Doe, Sr., 23 LLR 38, 42 (1974), the bench emphasized:
“The Supreme Court has the inherent power not only to punish for contempt of court, but to determine what constitutes contempt, and any act which tends to belittle, degrade, obstruct, interrupt, or prevent the Court’s administration of justice is contemptuous.”
The justices stated that egregious insults targeted at the Chief Justice and his family could not be protected as national culture, necessitating punitive action to uphold the administration of justice and maintain international standing among the comity of nations.
Outstanding Conditions Before Release
While the handwritten apology to the judiciary represents an initial step, Yeazehn must complete two remaining mandates set by the Supreme Court before he can walk free.
The social media commentator must publish an apology to the women of Liberia—one he has written while behind bar, and must be published in a daily newspaper for five consecutive days.
Prophet Key, however, is yet to file a Behavioral Bond with the Clerk of the Supreme Court to guarantee future good conduct—one that is likely to extend his stay at the Monrovia Central Prison following the elapsed of his sentencing time.
As of August 5, 2026, an official report from the Liberian Judiciary by Flomo Wolobah indicates that the behavioral bond remains unfiled. Prison authorities and court officials indicate that Yeazehn will remain at the Monrovia Central Prison until all stipulations are satisfied in full to the court’s satisfaction.
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