Monrovia, Liberia – In a case now drawing national and international attention, Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice has scheduled the trial of several high-profile defendants for Thursday, August 28, 2025, despite a slew of outstanding legal motions, constitutional violations, and a pending appeal before the Supreme Court’s Justice in Chambers.
The court, presided over by Resident Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie issued a Notice of Assignment earlier today. However, defense lawyers are crying foul, calling the move a grave violation of due process and judicial ethics.
On August 11, 2025, the defense filed a motion for discovery, seeking access to evidence in line with their constitutional right to prepare a defense. Judge Willie has failed to hear or rule on this motion yet has moved forward with trial proceedings.
“This is unheard of,” said one legal observer. “A judge cannot order a criminal trial to begin while denying the defense access to evidence. This is trial by ambush, not trial by law.”
The defense has also filed a petition before the Justice in Chambers of the Supreme Court, challenging Judge Willie’s refusal to recuse himself. The motion outlines several serious concerns, including:
Unconstitutional Bond Requirement: Judge Willie imposed a human surety requirement for bail after a bond is filed —a policy he unilaterally created and which has no legal basis in the Liberian Constitution or statute. Legal professionals have labeled it a dangerous act of judicial overreach, effectively writing law from the bench.
Expression of Personal Fear: The judge has previously stated that he fears for his life in connection with the case—a declaration the defense says demonstrates clear bias and mental unfitness to preside. “If a judge is afraid of parties before him, he can not be impartial,” noted one senior jurist.
The Notice of Assignment itself includes a glaring clerical mistake, listing the trial date as August 28, 2024, a full year off from the actual term. Lawyers say this could further invalidate the document and raise concerns about the court’s competence.
“The rule of law is under assault,” said a defense representative. “This is no longer just about our clientsit’s about preserving the sanctity of the Liberian judicial system.”
With the Supreme Court now seized of the recusal appeal, and with major procedural motions still pending, pressure is mounting for the nation’s highest judicial authority to intervene immediately and prevent what critics are calling a premeditated miscarriage of justice.
