Jurors at the Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia were sequestered on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, following screening just before the trial of an alleged drug dealer, Peach H. Bility, commenced.
After the jury was selected, Bility, through his lawyers, requested that the jurors be sequestered at the jury quarters located within the Temple of Justice. Judge Joe S. Bacon granted this request and ordered the clerk of court to communicate with the Jury Management to execute the mandate. Bility was indicted by the Montserrado County Grand Jury for crimes related to the Unlicensed Possession and Transportation of Controlled Substances.
The trial of Peach Bility, the son of Nimba County District #7 Representative Musa Bility, began on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. This decision was announced by Judge Joe S. Bacon immediately after the prosecutors presented all the evidence they intended to use against the defendant. The trial resumed after being temporarily suspended for several months.
The trial attracted controversy on November 15, 2024, when prosecutors accused then-Presiding Judge A. Blamo Dixon of dramatically releasing Bility from the Monrovia Central Prison (South Beach) without their knowledge. This release occurred six months after Bility’s arrest by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) at Miami Beach. He was later rearrested following widespread public criticism over his release.
At the time of his arrest in March 2024, officers seized 21.4 grams of Kush, 500 grams of marijuana, a single-barrel gun, an orange-colored firearm, and a black pistol with ammunition from Bility.
Judge Dixon’s release order stated: “You are hereby commanded to release the living body of Peach Bility charged with the above-captioned offenses. This shall constitute your legal and sufficient authority for such release.”
This situation drew attention to the complications arising from tensions between the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the Judiciary, after news of Peach’s release went viral on social media, radio, and in newspapers. Citizens implicated the Ministry for allegedly taking bribes in the process; however, the Ministry confirmed Bility’s release and denied any involvement in Judge Dixon’s decision.
The indictment specifies that Mr. Bility was arrested by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) after receiving a tip-off on March 24, 2024, at approximately 11:26 PM near Miami Beach in Mamba Point, Monrovia. He is alleged to have engaged in the trade and supply of dangerous drugs to individuals involved in his operation.
The dangerous drugs and controlled substances found in Bility’s possession and vehicle were appraised at $428 or its equivalent value in LS 81,320, and $7,500 or its equivalent in LS 1,425,000.
