Judge Willie Orders Fresh Jury Selection, Cites Jury Tampering And Constitutional Rights- “We Will Not Repeat The Mistake”
By Abraham K. Kollie, kollieabraham23@gmail.com
KAKATA, Liberia–The 13th Judicial Circuit Court here in Margibi County some 72 kilometers from Monrovia has ordered a fresh selection of a 15-member sequestered jury for the US$317 million cocaine trial, after the previous panel was discharged over allegations of interference during the May 2026 Term of Court.
Newly assigned Circuit Court Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie on Monday, August 10, 2026 announced Thursday, August 13, 2026, as the date for jury selection in the high-profile case stemming from the seizure of cocaine in the VOA community along the RIA Highway.
The case, involving defendants Toni Obi, Henry Ike and others, is among several major criminal matters now before the Margibi Circuit Court.
On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, he Liberian government through the country’s Joint Security Task Force raided a residence along the Monrovia-Robertsfield highway and seized cocaine estimated at US$317 million, making it the biggest ever narcotic drug bust in this post-war West African county. Liberia Justice Min. Says “Investigation Shows “An Organized, Sophisticated, Complex And Well-Funded Narcotics Trafficking Network” – News Public Trust
“We Will Not Repeat The Mistake”
In his opening remarks for the new term, Judge Willie said the gravity of the drug case demands a jury that is properly constituted and shielded from outside influence.
“These cases cannot be tried without a jury, especially sequestered jurors,” Willie declared. “In order not to repeat the mistake of last term, where the drug case was tried without sequestered jurors and was tampered with, we must proceed differently.”
According to the judge, evidence emerged during the May 2026 term suggesting that jurors had been tampered with, forcing the court to discharge the panel. He said the decision to sequester is anchored in Article 21(h) of the 1986 Constitution, which guarantees an accused the right to trial by a jury of peers, and Section 12 of the Jury Manual, which mandates sequestration to “avoid accidental or deliberate tainting.”
“Sequestration is meant to reduce the possibility of jurors being influenced through public pressure, threats, persuasion or bribery,” Willie explained. He added that he has already met with the Juror Manager and the Court Administrator to arrange logistics for keeping jurors isolated during proceedings.
Hotel To House Jurors
The court faces a logistical hurdle, the 13th Judicial Circuit has no dedicated facility for sequestering jurors.
“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,” Willie said.
The Court Administrator has assured the bench that arrangements will be made. The August 13 selection is expected to pave the way for the substantive trial to begin shortly thereafter.
The defendants face multiple charges including unlicensed possession and importation of controlled drugs, criminal conspiracy, forgery, misapplication of entrusted property, theft of property and illicit trafficking.
Judge Warns Against Public Pressure, Reveals Threats To His Life
Judge Willie used the ceremonial opening to caution judicial officers against bowing to public opinion.
“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. Some decisions you will take in consonance with the law, many people will not like you for that. Your only satisfaction should and must be that you applied the laws to the facts accordingly.”
In a chilling disclosure, Willie said he has faced five attempts on his life because of rulings in previous cases, 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 stated.
Prison Overcrowding, Case Backlog Flagged
The judge also raised alarm over conditions at the Kakata Central Prison. A report submitted to the court shows the facility, with a capacity of 60 inmates, is currently holding 197.
Of those, 63 fall under the Circuit Court’s jurisdiction. Only 3 have been indicted, leaving 60 as pretrial detainees. Some have spent between 2 and 11 terms of court behind bars without trial.
Citing Section 18.2 of the Criminal Procedure Law and Article 14(3)(c) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Willie said prolonged detention without indictment or trial “may amount to a violation of fundamental rights.”
Additionally, 62 cases remain pending before the Magisterial Courts in Kakata and Salala, some dating back to 2024 and 2025. The docket includes gang rape, armed robbery, manslaughter, burglary and attempted murder. Willie noted that several of these should have already been transferred to Circuit Court as they exceed magisterial jurisdiction.
Reports from the Roberts International Airport and Bondiway Magisterial Courts were not available at press time.
Call For Judicial Cooperation
Judge Willie pledged to maintain “a cordial working relationship” with lawyers, litigants and court staff.
“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,” he said.
With jury selection set for August 13, all eyes will be on Kakata as the court moves to revive one of Liberia’s most closely watched drug prosecutions.