By: Melvin Flomo
Monrovia, January 23, 2026 — Margibi County Senator and Chair of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) Legislative Caucus, Nathaniel F. McGill, has raised strong objections to the handling of the investigation involving the Clar Hope Foundation, warning that actions taken by Criminal Court “A” could amount to judicial overreach and expose the presiding judge to impeachment.
Speaking during Senate plenary deliberations on Thursday, January 22, 2026, Senator McGill criticized the conduct of Criminal Court “A” Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie, accusing him of undermining constitutional safeguards by entertaining a writ of subpoena against a private humanitarian foundation in the absence of a formal criminal case.
The senator argued that Liberia’s democracy is anchored on strict adherence to the rule of law, stressing that anti-corruption efforts must be pursued within constitutional limits. While reaffirming the Legislature’s support for institutions such as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), the General Auditing Commission (GAC), and the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force (AREPT), McGill insisted that the burden of proof rests solely with the state.
According to him, if public funds were allegedly used in the construction of the Clar Hope Foundation’s multipurpose complex in Marshall, Margibi County, it is the responsibility of the state to present evidence before the court rather than compel the foundation to produce documents against itself.
Senator McGill described the demand for financial records as a violation of Article 21 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, which protects individuals and entities from self-incrimination. He further warned that the court’s involvement at the investigative stage compromises judicial neutrality and places the judge in the role of the prosecution.
On January 15, 2026, Judge Willie issued a writ of subpoena duces tecum instructing the management of the Clar Hope Foundation to produce financial records detailing contributions made toward the construction of its facility. In response, the foundation, owned by former First Lady Clar Marie Weah, filed a motion on January 21, requesting the court to quash the subpoena.
Despite the legal challenge, the Clar Hope Foundation has publicly stated that it remains transparent and has “nothing to hide” regarding the source of its funding, while maintaining that due process must be respected.
Senator McGill disclosed that he will formally communicate with the Senate plenary during its next sitting to seek approval to invite Judge Willie and officials of the Asset Recovery Team to provide justification for their actions. He warned that continued disregard for constitutional protections could warrant impeachment proceedings.
Describing the judge’s actions as “judicial abuse,” McGill said it was troubling that what he termed an unorthodox method was being used to extract evidence from a private institution with no charges filed against it. He expressed disappointment, noting that Judge Willie is widely regarded as one of the judiciary’s most experienced jurists.
McGill concluded by cautioning that actions taken against one private entity today could set a dangerous precedent for others tomorrow, urging all branches of government to operate strictly within the confines of the Constitution to safeguard Liberia’s hard-won democracy.
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