Criminal Court “C” Judge Ousman F. Feika has ordered the immediate arrest and incarceration of all 15 jurors who served in a recent criminal trial, citing what he described as gross jury tampering and misconduct.
Judge Feika directed that the jurors be committed to the Monrovia Central Prison for contempt of court and turned over to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution.
According to the court, a call-log analysis revealed that multiple cell phones and SIM cards were taken into the jury quarters and used to make and receive calls, as well as send and receive text messages, while the jurors were under sequestration.
The judge noted that the entire jury panel had been sequestered to hear evidence in the case from which the allegations arose. However, the investigation found widespread violations of the court’s instructions prohibiting jurors from possessing or using communication devices during the trial.
As a result, Judge Feika set aside the verdict returned on May 8, 2026, declaring the proceedings a mistrial and ordering a new trial.
The court found that most jurors carried cell phones and SIM cards into the jury quarters despite clear instructions that such devices were prohibited.
Judge Feika disclosed that telephone number 0886500698 contacted nearly all of the jurors during the sequestration period and also communicated with some of their relatives. Another number, 0886500689, was reportedly in frequent contact with several jurors, primarily through text messages.
The court has subpoenaed records relating to both numbers and ordered that their true owners be identified and investigated for possible prosecution.
According to the ruling, jurors Johnathan Bundo, Arnold Vincent, and Maximum Dillon allegedly coordinated telephone calls and text messages between individuals outside the jury quarters and jurors inside.
The judge further noted that several other telephone numbers appeared in the call logs of jurors during the sequestration period, either as incoming callers or senders of text messages. Those numbers have also been subpoenaed from the relevant mobile service providers for analysis and further action.
Judge Feika ordered that any individuals found to have communicated with jurors during sequestration be identified, arrested, and prosecuted for jury tampering where supported by the evidence.
“The evidence has established gross jury tampering and misconduct,” the judge stated, adding that the jurors’ actions contaminated and tainted the integrity of the verdict.
The ruling marks one of the most significant jury misconduct cases in recent Liberian judicial history, with all 15 jurors now facing possible criminal prosecution alongside any outside individuals found to have influenced or communicated with them during the trial.
