Three of the fifteen jurors jailed on the order of Criminal Court ‘C’ Judge Ousman F. Feika in the ongoing jury misconduct case have been released after the Ministry of Justice intervened.
The three jurors were the first to alert the Court to alleged misconduct by members of the panel during the corruption trial involving former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and several others.
They reported that some jurors violated the Court’s sequestration order by using mobile phones and communicating with people outside the jury while the trial was still in progress.
Following its investigation, the Court found evidence of jury misconduct and set aside the earlier not guilty verdict. Judge Feika subsequently ordered fifteen jurors detained at the Monrovia Central Prison pending further legal proceedings.
The Ministry of Justice has now directed the release of the three jurors who reported the alleged misconduct, citing their role in exposing the violations that led to the Court’s investigation.
While the three whistleblower jurors have regained their freedom, the remaining jurors remain in custody under the Court’s order as the matter continues to unfold.
