MONROVIA, Liberia – The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice, has formally petitioned Criminal Assizes “A” at the First Judicial Circuit Court in Montserrado County to transfer a high-profile arson and attempted murder case to another county, citing concerns over trial integrity and potential jury contamination.
The motion was filed during the February Term A.D. 2026 before Resident Circuit Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie.
Defendants Face Multiple Serious Charges
The case involves a group of defendants indicted by a Special Grand Jury for Montserrado County during the third quarter of 2025. Among those named in the indictment are Kivi Bah (alias Kaba), Jerry Pokah (alias Tyrese), John Nyanti, Hon. Dixon W. Seboe, J. Fonati Koffa, Mohammed Momah, Harris (alias Vambo), Priscilla Cooper, Abu B. Kamara, Jacob C. Deebie, Thomas Isaac Etheridge, Eric Susay, Christian Kofa, and several others yet to be identified.
They are facing multiple criminal counts, including:
- Arson
- Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder
- Criminal Mischief
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Criminal Facilitation
- Criminal Solicitation
According to court records, the alleged offenses occurred between January and June 2025.
Government Raises Concerns Over Fair Trial
In its motion for change of venue, the Ministry of Justice argues that the atmosphere surrounding the case in Montserrado County has become prejudicial and could undermine the fairness of the proceedings.
Prosecutors allege that from the preliminary examination stage at the Monrovia City Magisterial Court through proceedings at the First Judicial Circuit Court, several defendants granted media interviews despite the matter being sub judice. The government contends that those interviews fueled what it described as a “barrage of misleading stories,” generating public excitement and potentially influencing public opinion ahead of trial.
The prosecution further claims that sympathizers of the defendants attempted to interfere with the jury selection process by seeking to influence members of the trial jury through the Jury Manager. The alleged interference was reportedly investigated by the court, which subsequently imposed sanctions. Copies of the court’s minutes and the ruling on those sanctions were attached to the government’s motion.
According to the Ministry, while allegations directed at the prosecution received widespread media attention, the court’s findings and sanctions related to alleged jury interference did not receive similar publicity—creating what it believes to be an imbalance in public perception.
Call for Neutral Venue
The Ministry of Justice maintains that relocating the case to another county would help ensure an impartial jury pool and safeguard the constitutional rights of both the state and the accused to a fair trial.
Legal observers note that a change of venue in criminal proceedings is typically granted when a court determines that pretrial publicity, public sentiment, or external interference could compromise the objectivity of jurors.
Judge Willie has yet to rule on the motion. If granted, the transfer would mark a significant procedural development in one of the most closely watched criminal cases currently before the Montserrado courts.
The court’s decision is expected to shape the next phase of proceedings in a case that has already drawn intense public and media scrutiny.
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