Judge Willie Clears Case For Trial, But Defense Runs To Supreme Court For Stay Order
By Abraham K. Kollie, Email: kollieabraham23@gmail.com
KAKATA, Liberia– The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) fight to bring the multi-million-dollar Patrick Tarnue Worzie corruption case to trial has hit another roadblock, after defense lawyers dragged the Commission to the Supreme Court of Liberia seeking to block prosecution.
The high-profile corruption case was scheduled to finally commence on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, before Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie at the 13th Judicial Circuit Court here in Kakata, Margibi County.
This followed a major legal victory for the LACC on September 16, when Judge Willie denied a motion filed by the defense to dismiss the entire case.
In his ruling, Judge Willie held that there was “good cause” for the matter not having proceeded earlier, dismissing the defense argument that the State had abandoned prosecution.
The LACC had vigorously opposed the dismissal motion, arguing that the procedural history of the case tells a completely different story.
“The State has never abandoned this case. The record will show continuous action by the prosecution,” the LACC Prosecution Team argued in court.
According to the Commission, after the indictment was secured, the case suffered delays due to litigation concerning the defendants’ bond, a motion for severance filed by the defense, and multiple proceedings involving change of venue.
The defense itself secured a change of venue, which led to the case being transferred from Monrovia to the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Kakata. The prosecution also presented evidence that it had submitted formal requests for assignment of the case during the *May and August 2026 Terms of Court.”
Judge Willie agreed with the State.
“The circumstances of this case constitute good cause. This matter will proceed to trial,” Judge Willie ruled on September 16.
That ruling placed the LACC on course to begin trial on September 22, with its prosecution team prepared to present evidence.
Defense runs to Supreme Court
However, in a dramatic turn, just before the LACC could take the stand, the defense filed a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari before Justice in Chambers, Cllr. Ceaneh Clinton Johnson, asking the Supreme Court to review Judge Willie’s ruling.
Justice Johnson subsequently placed a stay order on all further proceedings.
When the case was called on September 22, a packed courtroom was informed by Judge Willie that his hands were tied.
“This Court has been informed of the intervention of the Honorable Supreme Court. All proceedings in this matter are hereby suspended pending the outcome of the conference scheduled before Justice in Chambers,” Judge Willie announced.
The latest development means that the LACC prosecution team, which was fully prepared to proceed, must now wait.
Case of National Interest
The Worzie case is considered a landmark case for the LACC. The Commission publicly announced the indictment in 2025 against former senior officials of the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC).
The defendants face grave charges including Economic Sabotage, Theft of Property, Misapplication of Entrusted Property, and Criminal Conspiracy – allegations involving the misappropriation of public resources meant for vulnerable Liberians.
A senior LACC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the defense tactic as a delay strategy:
“We won the dismissal argument because the law and the facts are on our side. We are ready to meet them in open court and prove our case on its merits. What the defense is doing now is a classic attempt to delay justice. But we will not be deterred.”
The LACC has maintained that its mandate is to investigate and prosecute corruption cases in accordance with law and to protect public resources.
All eyes are now on the Supreme Court conference scheduled for October 6, 2026, which will determine whether the Kakata trial can proceed or face further delay.