Africa-Press – Liberia. Judge Jabateh-Sirleaf sentenced Michael Oputa to five years in prison, retroactively counted from the time of his incarceration at the Monrovia Central Prison.
Criminal Court “D” Resident Judge Mameita Jabateh-Sirleaf has ruled in Liberia’s first-ever piracy case, marking a historic moment in the nation’s maritime and legal history.
The case involved two Nigerian nationals, Michael Oputa and Titus Ezenan, accused of hijacking a Chinese fishing vessel, The Shanghai-2, on Liberian territorial waters in the Gulf of Guinea, a crime that drew significant national and international attention.
According to court documents, the accused were arrested by the Liberia Coast Guard in July 2023 following a heavy exchange of gunfire. Coast Guard forces overpowered the pirates and detained two individuals.
The suspects were subsequently investigated by the Liberia National Police, indicted, and forwarded to Criminal Court ‘D’ for prosecution.
During the trial, defence counsel Cllr. Bestman D. Juah entered a plea bargaining request on behalf of Michael Oputa, which was not opposed by prosecuting attorney Anthony Jonah A. Kerkular.
The agreement was accepted by the court in line with Section 16.44 of the Criminal Procedure Law as amended.
It was established in court that Michael Oputa had the firearm used during the armed robbery of The Shanghai-2.
Verdict and Sentencing
In accordance with the plea agreement, Judge Jabateh-Sirleaf sentenced Michael Oputa to five years in prison, retroactively counted from the time of his incarceration at the Monrovia Central Prison.
However, in a significant development, the court acquitted the second defendant, Titus Ezenan, ruling that there was insufficient evidence to prove he had knowledge of, or intent to commit piracy.
Judge Jabateh-Sirleaf noted that Ezenan had been unknowingly used by Oputa during the execution of the crime, and therefore could not be held criminally liable under Liberian law.
International Jurisdiction and Legal Precedent
The hijacked vessel, which was transporting goods through the Gulf of Guinea, was intercepted by international maritime forces after a distress signal was sent by the ship’s crew.
The suspects were handed over to Liberian authorities under maritime cooperation protocols, as the vessel was registered under the Liberian flag, granting Liberia full jurisdiction under international maritime law.
This case marks a moment in Liberia’s maritime enforcement, as actual piracy cases prosecuted in local courts have been virtually nonexistent despite Liberia maintaining one of the largest open ship registries in the world.
Legal analysts suggest that the outcome of this case sets an important precedent for Liberia’s commitment to enforcing maritime law and protecting the global shipping industry under its flag.
The ruling comes as the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) intensifies efforts to combat piracy and transnational crimes at sea.
In June 2023, LiMA issued a Marine Security Advisory, warning ships of threats including piracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping-for-ransom in the Gulf of Guinea.
In September 2023, Liberia validated its first-ever National Maritime Security Strategy, in partnership with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the EU-funded SWAIMS project, aimed at improving coordination, response, and legal enforcement capacity.
The court acquitted the second defendant, Titus Ezenan (middle), ruling that there was insufficient evidence to prove he had knowledge of, or intent to commit piracy.
Most notably, in June 2025, Liberia became a signatory to the Gulf of Guinea Declaration on the Suppression of Piracy, joining other coastal nations in committing to international cooperation to protect seafarers and maritime trade.
LiMA has also called for stronger regional partnerships to address piracy, urging West African states to align efforts in intelligence sharing, enforcement, and legal reform.
While Michael Oputa begins his prison sentence and Titus Ezenan walks free, Liberia’s handling of this piracy case is being closely watched by the international maritime community.
Criminal Court ‘D’, which handles high-profile crimes including armed robbery, hijacking, and now piracy, is increasingly at the forefront of Liberia’s justice response to transnational threats.
This landmark case underscores the complexities of maritime crime in West Africa and highlights Liberia’s evolving role as a responsible and proactive maritime nation.
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