Ben Barco
LiberiapoliticianMale5.0Global Dominance: 0.00%Ben Barco is a magistrate in Liberia known for his role in the judicial system, having made headlines for using his discretion to grant bail to lawmakers, including former Speaker Fonati Koffa, who were charged in connection to a significant arson attack. His decision to release the lawmakers came after a reported intervention from former President George Weah, highlighting the intricate relationship between politics and the judiciary in Liberia.
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Magistrate Ben Barco made that distinction explicit, ruling that the Magisterial Court’s jurisdiction over offenses triable before the Circuit Court is limited.
Why Is Howard-Taylor Fighting the Tape? | NewsLiberia· 2026-09-10
Ben Barco is the Magistrate overseeing the preliminary examination of Jewel Howard Taylor's case.
Let the Court Hear the Tape | EditorialsLiberia· 2026-09-09Magistrate Ben Barco was expected to decide whether prosecutors could play explosive audio recordings allegedly containing Taylor’s own voice.
Ex-VP Defense Withdraws Evidence Hearing | NewsLiberia· 2026-09-09Ben Barco is the Stipendiary Magistrate who ruled on the cocaine trafficking case.
Criminal Court C Takes Charge of US$19.2M Cocaine Case | LegalLiberia· 2026-07-16
Magistrate Ben Barco ruled that the court cannot proceed with photocopied evidence.
Court Rejects Photocopied Evidence in US$19M Drug Case | LegalLiberia· 2026-07-08
Magistrate Ben Barco announced the decision yesterday after he denied the prosecution’s opposition to the bond.
Koffa, Others Survive Bond Scare | NewsLiberia· 2025-06-27
Stipendiary Magistrate Ben Barco was ordered to hold a hearing on the bond dispute.
Capitol Arson Case Goes Back to Magisterial Court | LegalLiberia· 2025-06-20
Magistrate Ben Barco ruled that the prosecution established a prima facie case against the defendants.
Koffa, Others Indictment Imminent | LegalLiberia· 2025-06-17
Magistrate Ben Barco ruled that the evidence was sufficient to proceed with the trial against the defendants.
Capitol Arson Evidence Against Ex-Speaker Koffa, 3 Others, Sufficient for Trial, Court Says | LegalLiberia· 2025-06-14Magistrate Ben Barco granted the lawmakers bail and subsequent release.
Koffa, 3 Lawmakers Secure Bond, Released from Jail | NewsLiberia· 2025-06-10