Liberia, Aug. 28 -- High Court Upholds Judge Willie's Authority to Disband Jury; Koffa Team's Challenge Rejected

By:Willie N. Tokpah

Monrovia-The Supreme Court of Liberia has denied a petition for a Writ of Prohibition filed by former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and several co-defendants in the Capitol Building arson case, clearing the way for Criminal Court "A" to proceed with the prosecution.

The ruling represents a major victory for the prosecution and effectively rejects the defendants' attempt to overturn Resident Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie's decision to disband the jury previously empaneled to hear the case.

The petitioners, including Koffa, Dixon W. Seboe, Abu B. Kamara, K. Jacob C. B. Debee, Christian Kofa, John Nyanti, Eric ...