By By: The People News
Monrovia — The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has moved to remove the presiding judge in the high-profile corruption case involving former Acting Liberia Telecommunications Authority head Abdullai L. Kamara, citing concerns about judicial neutrality as the matter is rushed back onto the trial docket.
In a statement issued Monday, the Commission confirmed that a motion to advance Kamara’s case before the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court was granted, with a hearing scheduled for January 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. However, LACC simultaneously filed a separate motion requesting that Judge Joe S. Barkon recuse himself from further handling the case.
According to the Commission, its request is grounded in what it describes as a pattern of rulings and conduct that raises serious questions about impartiality and the proper application of criminal procedure.
LACC pointed to an earlier decision in which Kamara was removed from an indictment through reliance on a civil procedure rule, despite the matter being criminal in nature. The Commission argues that the law provides specific criminal remedies for addressing such issues and that dismissing the indictment outright was legally improper.
The Commission also contends that the court failed to apply statutory provisions that permit amendments to indictments to reflect the evidence, a mechanism that prosecutors say should have been used instead of terminating the charge.
Further concerns were raised over what the LACC described as the unusually swift granting of the motion to advance the case, which it says left the prosecution with limited time to respond adequately.
Adding to the controversy, the Commission alleges that Judge Barkon was seen socializing with defense counsel shortly after issuing a ruling favorable to Kamara, a situation it says creates the appearance of impropriety even if no formal misconduct occurred.
“These circumstances, taken together, undermine confidence in the neutrality of the court,” the LACC said, warning that continued involvement by the judge could prejudice the State’s case and weaken public trust in the administration of justice.
The matter now rests with the court, which must decide whether Judge Barkon will continue to preside or step aside as Kamara’s long-running corruption case moves forward.
