A Liberian man faces murder charges after allegedly posing as a licensed physician and performing a fatal surgery at an unaccredited clinic, according to a recently unsealed indictment. Sam Worlobah, accused of operating on Samuel P. Kollie without medical credentials, could face life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted under Liberia’s first-degree murder statutes.
Prosecutors assert that Kollie sought treatment for severe abdominal pain at the Lofa Medical Service Clinic in Paynesville’s Jacob Town on March 18, 2025, accompanied by his sister, Mary Kollie. During the visit, Worlobah reportedly conducted a physical examination—lifting the patient’s legs and pressing his abdomen—before diagnosing appendicitis and Hepatitis B. Despite lacking accreditation and proper facilities, the clinic’s staff allegedly insisted on immediate surgery, initially demanding $275 before agreeing to a reduced fee of $225.
Court documents reveal that Worlobah proceeded with the operation and administered post-surgery pain relief injections. Kollie remained at the clinic overnight but died by 10 a.m. the following day. Authorities emphasize that the defendant was neither registered with the Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC), the national regulatory body, nor authorized to perform medical procedures. The clinic itself reportedly failed to meet basic safety standards for surgical interventions.
Liberian law defines murder as intentionally causing death or demonstrating “extreme indifference to human life.” The indictment accuses Worlobah of knowingly impersonating a doctor, an act prosecutors claim directly resulted in Kollie’s death and violated “the peace and dignity” of the nation. Legal experts note that first-degree murder convictions in Liberia carry severe penalties, though executions are rare and often commuted to life sentences.
The case has drawn attention to challenges in regulating healthcare practices in parts of West Africa, where unlicensed clinics sometimes operate due to limited access to accredited facilities. Worlobah’s trial, scheduled for Criminal Court “A” at Monrovia’s Temple of Justice, will test the enforcement of medical accountability laws in a region grappling with systemic healthcare gaps. No date has yet been set for proceedings.
