By Our Reporter | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA – Gbarpolu County Superintendent Sam K. Zinnah has declined an invitation from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to attend a meeting over the controversial yellow machines case, arguing that the anti-graft institution’s request is inappropriate because the matter is already before the court.
In a letter dated July 14, 2026, addressed to LACC Executive Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe, Zinnah said participating in discussions outside the judicial process could compromise the integrity of the criminal proceedings arising from the Commission’s indictment against him.
The development has raised fresh questions about the LACC’s investigative approach, with legal observers expected to scrutinize whether the Commission’s decision to summon an indicted defendant for discussions on issues central to a pending criminal case aligns with due process principles.
According to the LACC’s July 9 invitation, the Commission requested Zinnah to appear on Thursday, July 16, 2026, accompanied by his legal representative, to discuss issues surrounding the Gbarpolu County yellow machines case, from which an indictment had already been drawn.
The Commission also instructed the superintendent to bring along representatives or individuals who initially assembled the yellow machines so investigators could determine the cause and current condition of the equipment that forms part of the indictment.
However, Zinnah rejected the invitation, maintaining that the issues the Commission seeks to discuss are already the subject of litigation before the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court.
“Since the subject matter is directly connected to the ongoing case before the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, I believe that any discussion outside the established judicial process would be inappropriate and could undermine the integrity of the matter before the court,” Zinnah wrote.
He added that, after careful consideration, he was respectfully declining the invitation.
The superintendent emphasized that he remains committed to the rule of law and intends to respond to all allegations through the judicial process rather than through meetings outside the courtroom.
“I remain committed to the rule of law and have every intention of addressing all allegations through the legal process, where I will continue to exercise my legal rights and fully cooperate as required by law,” he stated.
The exchange highlights growing tensions between the anti-corruption watchdog and one of the officials it has prosecuted over allegations linked to the government’s yellow machines program.
The case stems from the broader investigation into the management and assembly of yellow machines allocated to Gbarpolu County, a matter that has attracted national attention amid ongoing concerns over accountability and the handling of public assets.
Zinnah’s refusal could intensify debate over whether the LACC should continue engaging defendants on substantive issues after filing criminal indictments, or allow the courts to exclusively determine the facts and legal merits of the case.
With the matter now before the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, attention is expected to shift to the courtroom, where prosecutors and defense lawyers will test the evidence underpinning the Commission’s allegations.
