By Vaye Abel Lepolu
Monrovia, Liberia — The Government of Liberia has filed a motion before Criminal Court “A” seeking a change of venue in the ongoing Capitol Building arson case, citing concerns over prejudicial media coverage and alleged attempts to improperly influence jurors.
The motion, filed on February 20, 2025, was submitted by the prosecution team representing the Ministry of Justice before Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie. Prosecutors are requesting that the case be transferred from Montserrado County to another nearby county, arguing that such a move would ensure a fair and impartial trial.
According to the prosecution, the defendants were charged at various times between January and June 2025 and were subsequently indicted by a Special Grand Jury in the third quarter of 2025 on multiple counts, including arson and criminal attempt to commit murder.
The State claims that from the preliminary examination stage at the Monrovia City Magisterial Court through the trial phase at the First Judicial Circuit Court, the defendants have repeatedly granted media interviews on matters already before the court. Prosecutors allege these actions violated the sub judice rule and resulted in misleading media reports that stirred public excitement and prejudiced the government’s case.
In its filing, the prosecution further disclosed that individuals sympathetic to the defendants allegedly attempted to influence the jury through unlawful and unorthodox means. The matter was reportedly investigated by the court, which imposed sanctions on those involved. Copies of the court’s minutes and the ruling imposing sanctions were attached to the motion as evidence.
The government also noted that while the investigation and sanctions were conducted openly, they did not receive the same level of publicity as what the prosecution described as false and damaging reports circulated earlier in the media.
Relying on Section 5.7 of Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law, the prosecution emphasized that the law permits either the State or the defendants to request a change of venue when circumstances threaten the fairness of a trial.
The Ministry of Justice is therefore urging the court to grant the motion, order the transfer of the case to a nearby county, and provide any additional relief deemed just, legal, and equitable. The court has yet to announce a date for hearing the motion.
