MONROVIA — The corruption case involving former Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) Director-General Patrick Tarnue Worzie has taken another turn, with the defense asking the Supreme Court to review a ruling that cleared the way for the case to proceed to trial.
The latest development is contained in a September 21, 2026 communication from the Office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Liberia, notifying LACC Chief Prosecutor Cllr. Bobby F. W. Livingstone of a conference ordered in connection with a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari filed by Worzie.
According to the court notice, the conference is scheduled for October 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., before Associate Justice Cllr. Ceaneh D. Clinton-Johnson, who is presiding in Chambers.
The notice also orders that all further proceedings and/or actions in the matter remain stayed pending the outcome of the conference.
The development comes days after Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie, Assigned Circuit Judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Margibi County, rejected a defense motion seeking dismissal of the corruption case.
In a ruling issued on September 16, Judge Willie determined that there was sufficient cause for the delay in bringing the matter to trial and ordered that the case proceed.
The ruling followed arguments over whether the prosecution had failed to bring the defendants to trial within the timeframe provided under Section 18.2 of Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law.
News Public Trust
Defense challenges trial-court ruling
The defense subsequently sought review of the trial court’s decision before the Supreme Court, resulting in the current certiorari proceedings.
The Supreme Court notice identifies Patrick Tarnur Worzie as the petitioner, with Judge Willie listed as the first respondent and the Republic of Liberia, through the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), as the second respondent.
The Supreme Court’s intervention has temporarily prevented the trial court from moving forward while the legal issues raised in the petition are considered.
The case had been scheduled for trial after Judge Willie denied the motion to dismiss. The prosecution had argued that the delays surrounding the case were attributable to various proceedings rather than a failure by the State to prosecute the matter.
Among the proceedings previously raised were issues involving the defendants’ bonds, motions filed by the defense and efforts relating to a change of venue.
The case was eventually transferred to the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Margibi County.
The LACC has maintained that it has continued pursuing the matter through the courts.
Four former LRRRC officials indicted
Worzie is facing the case alongside three other former LRRRC officials: Alieu Fofana, Joseph Wea and Jeredine Kolleh.
The LACC says the four were indicted on corruption-related charges including economic sabotage, theft of property, misapplication of entrusted property and criminal conspiracy.
The Commission’s published information also identifies additional allegations in the broader indictment, including misuse of public money or records and tampering with public records.
Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission,
Worzie previously appeared before the court and submitted a criminal appearance bond, according to the LACC.
Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission
With the Supreme Court conference now set for October 5, the prosecution’s next move will depend on the outcome of the Chambers proceedings.
For now, the trial court has been directed to halt further proceedings in the matter pending the Supreme Court conference.
The case remains at the pre-trial stage, and the allegations against Worzie and his co-defendants have not been adjudicated.
