Amid Allegations Of Jury Tampering Involving LDEA Officer

PHOTO: (L-R) The Temple of Justice, seat of the Liberian Judiciaty and Judge Victoria Duncan

By Abraham Kollie, kollieabraham23@gmail.com

KAKATA, Liberia–In a dramatic turn of events at the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Margibi County, Resident Judge, Her Honor Victoria Duncan has disbanded the jury in a drug case involving Quita Dolo Kosso, ordered investigation into serious allegations of juror tampering involving an officer of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA).

The decision comes just weeks after Judge Duncan delivered a powerful charge to jurors on May 11, 2026, urging them to be “a living commitment to justice.” During that opening ceremony, she declared that “justice is not a static concept” and that jurors “must listen carefully, deliberate thoughtfully, and act with integrity.”

However, the proceedings have now been interrupted by allegations that LDEA Officer Myron Swen improperly contacted and influenced members of the jury. Rather than proceeding under a cloud of suspicion, Judge Duncan acted decisively.

Judge Duncan’s Response

The Resident Judge suspended the trial and ordered a full-scale investigation conducted in open court, allowing all parties to witness the process.

Praise from Civil Society

Ambassador Cecilia Forgbe McGill, a renounced Liberian Diplomat and Director of Diplomats Without Borders, has publicly commended Judge Duncan’s handling of the crisis.

She wrote: “Her Honor Judge Victoria Worlobah Duncan has demonstrated ethics, integrity, courage, and professionalism in her recent ruling,” McGill said in a statement. “Rather than ignoring these concerns, Judge Duncan acted decisively by suspending the trial and ordering a full-scale investigation to be conducted in open court. Her actions demonstrate a strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.”

McGill added: “It is rare to find judicial officers who are so dedicated to protecting the integrity of the judicial process. Judge Duncan’s ruling reinforces public confidence in the judiciary and serves as a reminder that justice must always be fair, impartial, and free from any appearance of impropriety.”

A Commitment to Integrity

In her earlier charge to jurors, Judge Duncan had quoted renowned English jurist Sir William Blackstone, reminding the court that jury service places “extraordinary responsibility” in the hands of ordinary citizens.

“This duty is not easy,” she had said. “It requires impartiality, patience, and courage. Jurors must set aside personal bias, resist outside influence, and commit themselves wholly.

The May Term of Court had been expected to hear a range of criminal and civil cases. The investigation into the tampering allegations will now take precedence, with the fate of the term—and any verdicts that might have been rendered—hanging in the balance.

Judicial Integrity

Judicial integrity in Liberia is powerfully illustrated through the actions of Judges The report signified a clear and decisive defense of judicial integrity in the face of a serious threat alleged juror tampering by a law enforcement officer.

 key aspects of judicial integrity demonstrated in this case:

Zero Tolerance for External Interference The most striking element is Judge Duncan’s immediate and unequivocal response to allegations that LDEA Officer Myron Swen improperly contacted jurors. Rather than proceeding with a trial under a “cloud of suspicion,” she chose to disband the jury panel. This action prioritizes the purity of the judicial process over the convenience of moving forward. It sends a powerful message that the integrity of a verdict is paramount.

Transparency and Accountability in Process Judge Duncan did not just dismiss the jury; she ordered a “full-scale investigation to be conducted in open court.” This is a critical component of judicial integrity. By making the investigation public and allowing all parties to witness it, she ensures that the process itself is fair, transparent, and accountable. It removes any hint of a cover-up or behind-closed-doors justice.

Alignment of Words and Actions our investigation provides a compelling contrast that Judge Duncan had previously given a powerful charge to jurors, quoting Sir William Blackstone and urging them to “resist outside influence” and “commit themselves wholly to the truth.” Her decision to disband the jury when that very principle was allegedly violated shows that she holds herself and the court to the same high standard she set for the jurors. Her actions are a living embodiment of her own words.

Validation by Civil Society

The public praise from Ambassador Cecilia Forgbe McGill of Diplomats Without Borders is significant. It demonstrates that Judge Duncan’s actions are not only legally sound but also recognized and valued by civil society as a beacon of ethical conduct. McGill’s statement that Judge Duncan’s ruling “reinforces public confidence in the judiciary” is the ultimate testament to judicial integrity in action.

In conclusion, the article portrays Judge Duncan as a guardian of judicial integrity in Liberia. In a system where outside influence is a persistent threat, her willingness to halt a trial, staged investigation and disband a jury, are bold and principled stand. It reinforces the idea that for justice to be truly served, the process must be beyond reproach, even if it means delaying or disrupting the court’s schedule. Her leadership serves as a crucial example of how to protect the bedrock of a fair trial.