By: Gegee Brima/Sampson Weah
MONROVIA – Dozens of young Liberian women on Thursday staged a protest at the headquarters of the Liberia National Police (LNP), calling for the immediate arrest of Deputy Youth and Sports Minister for Youth Development, Bryant McGill.
McGill has been accused of raping a 14-year-old girl in Paynesville, outside Monrovia. A medical report confirmed that the minor had been assaulted, but investigators have yet to establish whether the deputy minister is directly responsible.
Nearly two weeks after the allegation surfaced, McGill remains free, with no arrest made by the LNP.
This has fueled public outrage, as rape is a non-bailable offense under Liberian law, and suspects are typically taken into custody while investigations proceed.
The protesters, led by activist Vickjune Wutoh, demanded that police handle McGill’s case the same way as any other rape suspect.
“The Liberia National Police has not arrested McGill, who is the accused. The Police IG is refusing to do so because McGill is his fellow presidential appointee.
He should be arrested and in police custody by now. This is what we want,” Wutoh told reporters.
Several demonstrators accused the police of shielding McGill because of his government position, warning that such actions undermine the rule of law.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday evening, President Joseph Boakai announced the suspension of Deputy Minister McGill to allow for a fair and transparent investigation into the allegation.
