The 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Kakata has scheduled Thursday, August 13, 2026, for the selection of a new jury to hear the US$317 million cocaine case involving Toni Obi, Henry Ike and several others.
The decision follows concerns over alleged interference with jurors during the previous term of court, which resulted in the earlier jury being discharged.
Newly assigned Circuit Court Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie said the case must proceed before a properly constituted and sequestered jury to protect the integrity of the trial.
Judge Willie said he had already met with the Juror Manager and Court Administrator to discuss arrangements for keeping jurors away from outside influence throughout the proceedings.
The case was initially heard during the May 2026 Term of Court but was disrupted after the court received information that members of the jury had allegedly been tampered with.
The defendants are facing several charges, including unlicensed possession and importation of controlled substances, criminal conspiracy, forgery, misapplication of entrusted property, theft of property and illicit trafficking.
Judge Willie referred to Article 21(h) of the 1986 Constitution, which guarantees an accused person the right to trial by a jury of peers. He also cited Section 12 of the Jury Manual, which provides for the sequestration of jurors to prevent outside influence.
He said sequestration is intended to protect jurors from pressure, threats, persuasion, bribery and other forms of interference that could affect their decisions.
Court Plans Hotel Accommodation for Jurors
The court does not have a dedicated facility for keeping jurors in isolation during trials.
Judge Willie said the Judiciary will therefore have to secure a hotel in Kakata and arrange meals for the jurors throughout the proceedings.
He said the Court Administrator had assured him that the necessary arrangements would be made before the trial begins.
The judge also urged judicial officers to remain independent and make decisions based on the facts and applicable laws rather than public opinion.
He said judges should not be concerned about whether their decisions are popular, stressing that their responsibility is to apply the law fairly.
Judge Willie disclosed that he had faced threats over decisions made in previous cases, including what he described as five attempts on his life. One of the incidents, he said, occurred at his residence on June 25, 2025.
Despite the threats, the judge said he remained committed to upholding the rule of law.
Prison Overcrowding Raises Concern
During his opening remarks, Judge Willie also raised concerns about overcrowding and prolonged detention at the Kakata Central Prison.
According to a report presented to the court, the prison has a capacity of 60 inmates but was holding 197 people.
Of the 197 inmates, 63 reportedly fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court. Only three had been indicted, leaving 60 people in pretrial detention without indictments.
Some of the detainees, the judge said, had spent between two and 11 terms of court in prison without their cases are being brought to trial.
Judge Willie referenced Section 18.2 of Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law, which provides for dismissal when the prosecution fails to proceed with a case. He also pointed to the constitutional right to a speedy trial and Liberia’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
He warned that prolonged detention without indictment or trial could amount to a violation of fundamental rights.
Dozens of Cases Await Action
The judge further disclosed that 62 cases remained pending before the Magisterial Courts in Kakata and Salala.
Some of the cases date back to 2024 and 2025 and include allegations of gang rape, armed robbery, manslaughter, burglary and attempted murder.
Judge Willie said some matters should have already been transferred to the Circuit Court because they fall beyond the jurisdiction of the Magistrates.
He noted that the figures did not include cases pending before the Roberts International Airport and Bondiway Magisterial Courts, whose detention facilities operate separately.
The judge said the court had not yet received reports from those facilities despite efforts to obtain the information.
Judge Willie also promised to maintain a professional and cooperative relationship with lawyers, litigants and court employees during his tenure.
The August 13 jury selection is expected to pave the way for the resumption of proceedings in the closely watched cocaine case, while also testing the Judiciary’s ability to properly sequester jurors and protect the integrity of the trial.
