MONROVIA — A pre-sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in the case of Peach Bility, son of Nimba County lawmaker Musa Bility, who recently pleaded guilty to multiple drug and firearm offenses. The hearing will take place before Criminal Court ‘C’ Judge Joe Barkon, who will review a probation report submitted by the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation under the Ministry of Justice. This report is expected to provide details about Bility’s background, including any prior criminal history, before the court issues a final judgment.
Peach Bility entered his guilty plea to charges including illegal sale, possession, and distribution of controlled drugs, as well as unlawful possession of a firearm, as part of a plea bargaining agreement with prosecutors. Initially pleading not guilty, Bility changed his plea after the evidence was presented, leading to the dissolution of the jury and the court’s order for a probation report within five days ahead of sentencing.
The charges stem from incidents involving the unlicensed possession and sale of controlled substances at the Miami Beach Coconut Plantation in Mamba Point. As part of the plea deal, several other charges against Bility are expected to be dropped. He faces a potential prison sentence ranging from five to twenty years for the offenses.
The case has drawn significant public attention due to Bility’s relationship with his father, a sitting legislator in Nimba County. Earlier in the proceedings, Supreme Court Chambers Justice Ceaineh Clinton-Johnson ordered Bility’s release from the Monrovia Central Prison following a petition filed by his legal team. This petition challenged a prior decision by Resident Circuit Judge A. Blamo Dixon, who had revoked Bility’s bond without apparent cause.
Peach Bility was arrested on March 24, 2024, by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency on charges including unlicensed possession and transportation of controlled substances. He remained detained until November 15, 2024, when he was granted bail through a Criminal Appearance Insurance Bond approved by Judge Dixon. The decision to release Bility stirred controversy, with civil society group Green Media Campaigners calling for his immediate re-arrest, citing concerns that his charges were non-bailable.
With the plea agreement now in place, the Ministry of Justice is preparing to proceed with sentencing based on Bility’s admission of guilt and the negotiated terms. The case highlights ongoing struggles in Liberia’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and uphold the rule of law, particularly in instances involving individuals with influential family ties.
Judge Barkon’s order for a probation report signals the court’s intent to weigh mitigating factors in determining an appropriate sentence within Liberia’s legal guidelines. The verdict will be closely observed by the public and law enforcement as it may set an important precedent for future drug-related prosecutions in the country.
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