Monrovia – The Civil Law Court for Montserrado County has issued a temporary restraining order halting all processes related to the upcoming Liberia Football Association (LFA) elections.
By: Christopher C. Walker, christopherc.walker@frontpageafricaonline.com
The move follows a Petition for Declaratory Judgment filed by Cassell Anthony Kouh, president of FC Fassell, who is challenging the constitutionality of the association’s eligibility requirements.
Kouh, a high-profile aspirant for the LFA presidency, is seeking a judicial interpretation of Article 58.1 of the LFA Statutes.
The provision currently bars individuals convicted of criminal offenses from contesting leadership positions within the country’s football governing body.
The Injunction
According to court documents obtained by FrontPage Africa, the Sheriff of Montserrado County has been directed to notify the LFA Election Committee and Executive Committee members, including President Mustapha Raji, Meo Beyan, and Ibrahim Sheriff, to appear before the court during its March 2026 Term.
The respondents have until March 20, 2026, to file a formal resistance to the petition.
The order, signed by Clerk of Court Victor G. Gailor and presided over by Assigned Circuit Judge Boima Kontoe, warns that failure to comply could result in arrest and incarceration.
In the interim, all LFA officials are “temporarily restrained” from conducting any activities related to the election pending the outcome of the suit.
LFA Reacts, Notifies FIFA
In an official statement released Tuesday, the LFA confirmed receipt of the writ and signaled its intent to comply with the judicial directive.
LFA Media Manager Anthony Kokoi confirmed that “Football House” has received the communication and will respect the stay.
The Association further disclosed that it has notified the global football governing body, FIFA, regarding the legal impasse.
The LFA noted that the matter has also been elevated to the Supreme Court of Liberia for arguments on whether Article 58.1 aligns with the 1986 Constitution of Liberia.
Constitutional vs. Statutory Law
Legal sources told FrontPage Africa that the case is not a standard grievance against the LFA leadership, but rather a high-stakes request for constitutional clarity. The petition argues that the LFA’s statutory bar on former convicts may infringe upon rights guaranteed by the national constitution regarding the right to participate in associations and public life.
The ruling will be a deciding factor for the April 18, 2026, Elective Congress scheduled to take place in Maryland County.
Without a favorable ruling, Kouh widely considered a frontrunner would be disqualified under current LFA rules.
The 2017 U.S. Conviction
The controversy stems from Kouh’s 2017 legal troubles in the United States. Federal court records show Kouh pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison.
The scheme involved defrauding investors of more than US$9.5 million through fraudulent gold and diamond export deals.
In one instance, an investor reportedly transferred over US$3.6 million to a company identified as McDan Shipping Company Limited after being told minerals were ready for shipment from Liberia.
Investigators at the time alleged Kouh utilized the alias “Tim Barrol” to facilitate the transactions.
A Divisive Return
Since his release and return to Liberia in 2023, Kouh has re-emerged as a powerhouse in domestic football. Under his presidency, FC Fassell recently clinched the Liberian First Division title, a feat that significantly bolstered his popularity among the football electorate and local fans.
However, Article 58.1 remains the “Gordian Knot” of his campaign. If the court upholds the statute, incumbent President Mustapha Raji may face a significantly cleared path to re-election. If the court strikes it down, the April election is expected to be the most contested and potentially transformative in the LFA’s history.
