At Liberia Excellent News Network (LENN), we are troubled by the glaring inconsistency in how the law is being applied in the rape allegation involving Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Bryant McGill.
Liberian law is unambiguous; rape is a nonbailable offense. In countless cases, suspects have been arrested immediately by the police and held in custody while investigation proceeds.
Yet, nearly two weeks after a 14-year-old girl accused Minister McGill of rape, the Liberia National Police has failed to make an arrest. He remains free, while others in similar situations are swiftly jailed.
This disparity does not only raise questions of partiality – it strikes at the heart of the rule of law. Justice cannot be selective. No Liberian is more important than another, and there should be no sacred cows in our country.
To act otherwise undermines public confidence and makes a mockery of our national commitment to fight sexual and gender based violence.
We acknowledged President Joseph Boakai’s decision to suspend the Deputy Minister, a step that shows seriousness from the Executive. But suspension is not enough. Justice is not served by half-measures.
The Liberia National Police must move to decisively, as it would in any other case, to arrest the suspect and allow the courts to do their work.
The survivor of this alleged crime deserves justice. Liberia must send a clear message that power and position will not shield anyone from accountability. To delay justice is to deny it.
At LENN, we insist – the law must be enforced without fear or favor. Only then can Liberia live up to its promise of equality before the law.
