The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has expressed serious concern over recent judicial decisions rejecting its requests to relocate two major corruption cases currently before the courts.
In a press statement issued Monday, November 24, 2025, the Commission disclosed that its motion to transfer the case involving Dr. Isaac P. Podah, President of the Lofa County Community College, was denied by Judge Papesuah of the 10th Judicial Circuit Court. The LACC had argued that keeping the trial in Lofa County, where Dr. Podah heads the county’s only community college and maintains strong community ties, could compromise the neutrality of witnesses and jurors. Judge Papesuah, however, ruled that the matter must be tried within the county.
A parallel request was submitted in the Gbarpolu “Yellow Machine” case, which centers on Superintendent Sam K. Zinnah. The LACC noted that Zinnah’s influence as the county’s highest local authority could intimidate jurors or improperly shape the proceedings. That motion was likewise denied.
According to the LACC, its push for venue changes in both cases is rooted in a commitment to ensuring impartial, pressure-free trials. The Commission reaffirmed that it will continue collaborating with the judiciary to safeguard fair adjudication and uphold public confidence in ongoing corruption investigations.
