NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA –The Ministry of Justice has announced what it describes as a strong performance by its prosecution team during the May 2026 Term of Court, reporting 77 convictions out of 99 criminal cases taken to trial across Liberia.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue –trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
According to the Ministry, the results demonstrate the continued efforts of government prosecutors to represent the Republic of Liberia in criminal proceedings and pursue cases before the courts.
Of the 99 cases prosecuted during the term, 77 resulted in convictions, representing nearly 78 percent of all cases brought to trial. Meanwhile, 11 cases ended in acquittals, while another 11 cases resulted in hung juries, leaving those matters unresolved.
The Ministry of Justice, under the leadership of Justice Minister Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, says the performance reflects the commitment and dedication of prosecutors assigned across the country to ensuring that criminal cases are properly presented before the courts.
The figures provide an overview of the outcome of cases handled by the government’s prosecution team during the May Term of Court and highlight the role prosecutors continue to play in Liberia’s criminal justice system.
77 Convictions Recorded
The Ministry said prosecutors secured convictions in 77 of the 99 cases that proceeded to trial during the term.
The conviction figure means that more than three-quarters of the cases presented by the prosecution ended with guilty verdicts.
The Ministry did not, however, provide a breakdown of the cases by county, offense, court, or individual defendant. It also did not disclose the specific sentences imposed in the 77 cases that resulted in convictions.
Still, the overall outcome has been welcomed by the Ministry as an indication of the work being done by prosecutors in pursuing criminal matters on behalf of the Liberian government.
11 Acquittals, 11 Hung Juries
While the majority of cases resulted in convictions, the prosecution also recorded 11 acquittals during the term.
An acquittal means that the court or jury found the prosecution had not established the defendant’s guilt to the required legal standard.
Another 11 cases ended in hung juries, meaning the jurors were unable to reach the required unanimous decision on the cases before them.
Unlike an acquittal, a hung jury does not necessarily bring the underlying criminal matter to a final conclusion, as the prosecution may have legal options available depending on the circumstances and applicable law.
The Ministry’s announcement did not indicate whether any of the cases involving hung juries would be retried.
Ministry Commends Prosecutors
In announcing the results, the Ministry of Justice commended its prosecutors for what it described as their “tremendous work and dedication” throughout the May 2026 Term of Court.
The Ministry urged prosecutors to remain committed to their responsibilities and continue carrying out their duties with professionalism and determination.
The statement underscores the critical role of the prosecution in Liberia’s justice system, where government attorneys are responsible for representing the Republic in criminal proceedings and presenting evidence against individuals accused of violating the law.
The Ministry said the performance recorded during the term reflects the continued work of prosecutors across the country in representing the state and pursuing criminal cases through the courts.
Justice System Under Scrutiny
The latest figures come as Liberia continues to face broader discussions about the effectiveness of its justice system, including the speed of trials, case backlogs, access to justice, detention conditions, and the ability of prosecutors and courts to efficiently resolve criminal cases.
Against that backdrop, the Ministry’s reported 77 convictions provide an important snapshot of prosecutorial activity during the May Term of Court.
However, the figures alone do not provide a complete assessment of the justice system’s performance. Conviction rates must also be considered alongside the nature and complexity of the cases prosecuted, the quality of evidence presented, defendants’ rights, judicial independence, and the time required to resolve cases.
For the Ministry of Justice, however, the results represent a significant showing by its prosecution team and an indication of the effort being made to advance criminal cases through Liberia’s courts.
The Ministry has therefore called on its prosecutors to maintain the momentum and remain steadfast in the discharge of their duties.
“Great job, Prosecution!” the Ministry said in its statement, while encouraging members of the prosecution team to continue their work on behalf of the Republic.
