MONROVIA – The Ministry of Justice has filed a motion requesting the removal of Juror Antoinette Mulbah, identified as Juror J30-9550, from an ongoing trial, alleging that she provided false information during jury selection and holds a partisan political role that could compromise her impartiality. The motion, signed by state prosecutors Cllr. J. Adolphus Karnuah II, Atty. Enoch Garlawolu, Cllr. Randolph D.M.O. Johnson, and Cllr. C. Sumo Kutu Akoi, asserts that Mulbah misrepresented her political affiliations and connections to individuals involved in the case.
According to the application, photographs attached to the motion reportedly show Mulbah attending political events and receiving birthday greetings in her capacity as a party chairperson or coordinator. Prosecutors contend these images indicate active political engagement and interaction with people linked to the trial, raising serious concerns about potential bias.
The motion cites several Supreme Court precedents, including Bestman v. Lewis, Sackor v. Republic, and Doe v. Republic, emphasizing the constitutional requirement for a public trial conducted by an impartial jury. Prosecutors warned that allowing Mulbah to remain on the panel despite her alleged misrepresentations could “taint the integrity of the trial” and undermine public confidence in the judicial process. They have requested that the court remove Mulbah, order her replacement through the National Jury Management Office, and grant any other relief deemed just and equitable.
The court has yet to rule on the motion, and the defense team is expected to file its resistance on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. The proceedings have drawn significant attention given the high-profile nature of the case, which centers on allegations of orchestrated arson leading to the destruction of public property.
In a related development, state prosecutors filed a motion to amend the indictment to include Montserrado County District #12 Representative Jerry K. Yogboh as a co-defendant. Citing Article 14, Subchapter 14.7 of the Criminal Procedure Law of Liberia, the prosecution argued that the amendment is both lawful and necessary, pointing to new findings allegedly linking the legislator to the crime.
Defense attorneys swiftly objected to the motion, describing it as “legally flawed and procedurally weak.” They emphasized that Representative Yogboh was neither named in the original indictment nor mentioned during preliminary investigations. The defense further argued that attempts to implicate a sitting legislator without clear evidence appear politically motivated and lack legal grounding.
The motions have intensified public interest in the trial, which has already generated widespread scrutiny due to the scale of the alleged arson and its impact on public property. The inclusion of a sitting lawmaker has fueled speculation and debate over political influence and judicial impartiality. The court’s rulings on both the juror removal and indictment amendment will be closely watched, as they could set precedent regarding jury selection integrity and prosecutorial discretion in high-profile cases. The Ministry of Justice has underscored that its filings are intended to protect the fairness and credibility of the trial process.
Criminal Court “A” Judge is expected to rule on both motions as the trial continues, with the judiciary under heightened scrutiny to maintain transparency and public trust. The case highlights ongoing challenges in balancing legal procedure, political sensitivities, and public confidence in Liberia’s justice system.
Until now, Juror Mulbah remains on the panel, and Representative Yogboh has not been formally included as a defendant, leaving both matters pending as the trial progresses. Legal analysts suggest that the court’s decisions in the coming days could significantly influence the outcome of the case and public perception of Liberia’s judicial system.
