Prominent Freetown-based legal practitioner, Yada Hashim Williams, has emerged victorious in a libel case against Mohamed Kutubu Koroma, a U.S.-based Sierra Leonean whom he accused of waging a relentless campaign of character assassination.
Filed in the District Court of Maryland under case number DC-05-CV-25-018282, the lawsuit stemmed from a series of social media posts in which Koroma reportedly branded Williams with a litany of defamatory labels including “fraud,” “broke,” “failed lawyer,” “mediocre,” “unethical,” “morally bankrupt,” “scammer,” and “shameless.”
According to a statement issued by Mr. Williams, this legal victory marks the second such ruling in his favor. A Freetown court had previously ruled on the matter on November 21, 2023, finding Koroma liable for similar defamatory remarks. However, the ruling was allegedly ignored by Koroma, who resides in the United States.
The Maryland court has now ordered Koroma to pay $20,056 in damages to Williams.
In his statement following the judgment, Williams emphasized the need for accountability in the digital age:
“It is imperative that individuals like Mr. Mohamed Kutubu Koroma, who seek to malign and vilify others on social media from the safety of their overseas abode, are held accountable for their actions. There should be no safe haven or hiding place for individuals who engage in such reprehensible behavior.”
He described the court’s decision as a significant affirmation of justice and the protection of personal reputation, particularly in an era where online attacks can do lasting damage to one’s integrity and career.
This landmark ruling sends a clear message that defamatory conduct—whether at home or abroad—will not go unpunished.
