The 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Kakata, Margibi County has ordered a fresh process in the selection of the fifteen panel jury in the US$317 million cocaine case, following concerns over alleged interference with jurors during the previous term of court.
Newly assigned Circuit Court Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie has scheduled Thursday, August 13, 2026, for jury selection in the case arising from the seizure of cocaine in Duazon, Lower Margibi County.
The case is one of several major criminal matters now before the Margibi Circuit Court.
Judge Willie said the drug case must be heard by a properly constituted and sequestered jury to protect the integrity of the proceedings.
“We wish to state herein that these cases cannot be tried without a jury, especially sequestrated jurors, and in order not to repeat the mistake of last term, where the drug case was tried without sequestrated jurors and was tampered with,” Willie said.
He disclosed that he had already held discussions with the Juror Manager and the Court Administrator about arrangements for keeping the jurors away from outside contact during the proceedings.
According to Judge Willie, the case involving Toni Obi, Henry Ike and others was previously heard during the May 2026 Term of Court.
The defendants face allegations including unlicensed possession and importation of controlled drugs or substances, criminal conspiracy, forgery, misapplication of entrusted property, theft of property and illicit trafficking.
Willie said the earlier proceedings were affected after evidence emerged suggesting that jurors had been interfered with.
“It is our understanding that this case was being tried during the last Term of Court, that is, the May Term A.D. 2026, but the jurors had to be discharged because there was evidence that they were tampered with,” he said.
He cited Article 21(h) of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution, which guarantees an accused person the right to trial by a jury of peers.
He also referred to Section 12 of the Jury Manual, which provides for jury sequestration.
“The purpose of this provision is to avoid accidental or deliberate tainting,” Willie said.
He explained that sequestration is meant to reduce the possibility of jurors being influenced through public pressure, threats, persuasion or bribery.
Hotel Accommodation Planned
The court faces a practical challenge because the 13th Judicial Circuit does not have a dedicated facility for sequestrating jurors.
Judge Willie said the Judiciary will therefore have to secure a hotel in Kakata and arrange meals for the jurors during the trial.
“Since there is no sequestration room for the 13th Judicial Circuit of Margibi County, the Judiciary must locate a hotel in Kakata and hire caterers for the purpose of sequestrating the trial jurors, who are judges of the facts,” he said.
According to Willie, the Court Administrator has assured him that arrangements will be made.
The court has therefore scheduled August 13 for jury selection, with the process expected to pave the way for the substantive trial.
Judge Willie also used his opening remarks to caution judicial officers against allowing public opinion to influence their decisions.
“Our call to duty should be fearless, only relying on the facts and the laws controlling in any matter,” he said.
“Our job does not call for a popularity contest or public clamour.”
The judge acknowledged that some decisions made in accordance with the law may not be popular.
“Some decisions you will take in consonance with the law, many people will not like you for that,” he said. “Your only satisfaction should and must be that you applied the laws to the facts accordingly.”
Judge, Willie, amongst other things disclosed that he had faced threats because of decisions he made in previous cases.
He said there had been five attempts on his life, including an incident at his residence on June 25, 2025.
“Notwithstanding these threats to make me twist the facts and the laws, I have not wavered to ensure that the Rule of Law prevails in the part of the country where I find myself,” he said.
The presiding judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court also highlighted overcrowding and prolonged detention at the Kakata Central Prison.
A report submitted to the court indicates that the facility, which has a capacity of 60 inmates, was holding 197 inmates.
Willie said 63 inmates fell under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court. Only three had reportedly been indicted, leaving 60 as pretrial detainees without indictments.
Some, he said, had spent between two and 11 terms of court behind bars.
The judge cited Section 18.2 of Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law, which provides for dismissal where the prosecution fails to proceed with a case.
He also referenced Liberia’s constitutional guarantee of a speedy trial and Article 14(3)(c) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which provides for trial without undue delay.
Judge Willie said prolonged detention without indictment or trial is a serious concern and may amount to a violation of fundamental rights.
Dozens of Cases Still Pending
The judge further disclosed that 62 cases were still pending before the Magisterial Courts in Kakata and Salala, with some dating back to 2024 and 2025.
The cases reportedly include gang rape, armed robbery, manslaughter, burglary and attempted murder.
According to Willie, some of the cases should have already been transferred to the Circuit Court because they fall outside the jurisdiction of the Magistrates.
He said the figures did not include cases from the Roberts International Airport and Bondiway Magisterial Courts, which operate separate detention facilities.
The judge said efforts to obtain reports from those facilities had so far been unsuccessful.
Judge Willie also pledged to maintain a working relationship with lawyers, litigants and judicial employees.
“We shall exhibit a cordial working relationship so that our time here will be rewarding for us all-the Judiciary, Liberia and the world at large,” Willie said.
The August 13 jury selection will be closely watched as the court prepares to revive proceedings in one of Liberia’s most closely followed drug cases.
