By Jacqueline Dennis
MONROVIA – A jury at Criminal Court “B” has found Sam Worlobah, an operating room technician, guilty of murder after he performed an unauthorized surgical procedure that led to the death of Samuel P. Kollie.
Worlobah, who is not a licensed medical doctor or certified surgeon, was convicted on Monday after ten of the twelve jurors voted guilty—surpassing the three-fourths majority required under Liberian law for criminal convictions.
The court heard that Kollie had initially sought treatment for dental pain, but Worlobah diagnosed him with appendicitis and hepatitis B, and went on to conduct a surgical operation. Kollie later died from complications resulting from the procedure.
During the trial, the Liberia Medical and Dental Council confirmed that Worlobah is not authorized to practice medicine or perform surgery. He is certified only as an operating room technician, a role that permits him to assist qualified doctors—not act as one.
Presiding Judge Wesseh A. Wesseh accepted the jury’s verdict and immediately discharged the panel. He also ordered the Clerk of Court to obtain a pre-sentencing investigative report from the Probation Office or Bureau of Corrections, which must be submitted within five working days. The report will inform the court’s sentencing decision.
Despite pleading not guilty, Worlobah was found criminally liable for acting far beyond the scope of his professional qualifications.
Prosecutors successfully argued that his actions constituted gross negligence and unlawful medical practice, ultimately causing the patient’s death.
Sentencing will take place after the court reviews the probation report.
