Liberia: Rule of Law Caucus Chairman Condemns Police for ‘Arbitrary’ Arrests, Demands Immediate Release - FrontPageAfrica

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Monrovia – The Chairman of the Rule of Law Caucus, Musa Bility, has strongly condemned the Liberia National Police for what he termed as the “unlawful” arrest of individuals linked to the recent Capitol Building fire. Bility is calling for their immediate release and urging the international community to intervene to prevent Liberia from descending into a crisis.

By Gerald C. Koinyenehgerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com

In a press statement, Bility warned of the government’s apparent disregard for the rule of law.

“We call on the government to release those unlawfully detained and conduct a credible investigation. The international community must intervene now to prevent Liberia from descending into crisis. The government must respect the rule of law, or it will face the full resistance of the Liberian people,” he said.

He continued, “Liberia’s hard-won peace and democratic progress are under threat. The government’s recent actions, including arbitrary arrests and alleged torture of individuals linked to the Capitol fire, signal a dangerous shift toward authoritarianism. These arrests, made without charges or transparency, are clear attempts to intimidate lawmakers and silence dissent.”

Accusations of Police Abuse

The police have faced widespread criticism over their handling of the Capitol Building fire investigation. Bility accused state security agencies of abusing their power, warning that such actions threaten to drag Liberia back into instability.

“We will not tolerate the creation of a police state,” he said. “The Liberian people must stand united against these actions and demand accountability. Liberia belongs to its people—not to a government bent on intimidation and fear. We will not back down.”

Police Deny Arbitrary Detention Claims

During a recent press conference, Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman stated that the Joint Security team has gathered evidence suggesting the fire was caused by arson. Coleman added that individuals deemed to have a conflict of interest would be invited for further investigation.

When asked about allegations of arbitrary detentions, Coleman said all individuals initially detained after the incident were released through legal negotiations. However, there have been complaints that the police are detaining people beyond the legal timeframe.

Etheridge’s Case Highlights Alleged Rights Violations

One high-profile case involves Thomas Etheridge, a resident of Brewerville, who was arrested near the Capitol Building on December 18, 2024. Etheridge has been in detention since then, allegedly without being charged within the constitutionally mandated 48-hour period.

Etheridge’s lawyer, Cllr. Jonathan T. Massaquoi of the International Law Group, filed a petition before Criminal Court B, alleging unlawful detention and inhumane treatment by the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the National Security Agency (NSA).

The petition claims Etheridge was tortured and coerced to provide false statements during his detention. His legal team argues that the detention violates multiple provisions of the Liberian Constitution, including:
• Article 20(a): Guaranteeing liberty, security, and due process.
• Article 21(e): Prohibiting torture and inhumane treatment of detainees.
• Article 21(f): Requiring that arrested individuals be charged and presented in court within 48 hours.

The petition seeks a writ of habeas corpus to compel the authorities to justify Etheridge’s continued detention.

Court Orders Immediate Action

Assigned Circuit Judge J. Kennedy Peabody has issued a writ of habeas corpus, commanding the LNP, NSA, and the Ministry of Justice to present Etheridge at the Temple of Justice on January 13. The court will determine whether his detention aligns with constitutional and statutory requirements.

In the meantime, the court has ordered the police to release Etheridge and place him under the care of the sheriff until his court appearance.

FrontPageAfrica has yet to confirm whether there are additional individuals still in detention related to the Capitol Building fire.