Monrovia — Former Associate Justice Cllr. Kabineh Ja’neh has accused the Boakai administration of orchestrating the extrajudicial killing of his client, Ibrahima Khalil Cherif, a Liberian-Guinean national who fled Guinea for refuge in Liberia. Cherif, whom Guinea’s military junta accused of plotting to overthrow its regime, allegedly vanished under mysterious circumstances after his arrest by Liberian authorities.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
According to Ja’neh, Cherif sought safety in Liberia but was apprehended by Liberian security forces and charged with mercenary activities, including recruiting ex-combatants to oppose Guinea’s junta. Despite these accusations, Cherif was released on bond; however, he soon disappeared from the Monrovia Central Prison under unclear circumstances, with no accountability from the authorities.
In a televised appearance on Spoon Network, Ja’neh directly implicated high-ranking Liberian officials, including Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman and Solicitor General Augustine Fayiah, alleging their involvement in Cherif’s disappearance. Ja’neh claims that these officials orchestrated Cherif’s removal from prison against court orders, sparking fears that he may have been secretly handed over to Guinean authorities—or worse, killed.
Said Ja’neh: “We have been informed that Cherif has been killed, but no one knows where his body is or whether he is alive. We filed a paper before the court to get the man out and when the Sheriff went there, his return shows that they could not find the man at the Monrovia Central Prison… Between you and me, we will make sure that there will be accountability. For security people to enter the prison and remove a prisoner from there outside the jurisdiction of the court demonstrates recklessness, especially under a government that came to power under the rule of law.”
Ja’neh contends that Cherif, who reportedly fled Guinea after being labeled a mercenary, had over $20,000 in personal funds and belongings confiscated by Liberian security forces. Of this amount, only $2,100 was returned following a court order.
The situation escalated when Cherif vanished from the Monrovia Central Prison after his release was ordered by the court. Ja’neh argues that Cherif’s removal disregarded international protocols on prisoner extradition, as only a court could lawfully release him. The former justice also questioned the Boakai government’s motives, hinting at a potentially murky relationship with the Guinean junta, which maintains close ties with Russia. Ja’neh pointed out that Liberian security officials have made frequent trips to Guinea, raising concerns over a possible political alliance between Liberia’s government and the Guinean junta.
He noted that government’s willingness to violate both Liberian and international human rights standards in order to appease the junta in Guinea is alarming. “If Cherif’s extradition happened, it should have followed due process—through the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs. Instead, Cherif’s fate appears to have been decided in secrecy.”
Ja’neh’s outspoken stance has intensified demands for the Boakai administration to reveal Cherif’s whereabouts. He warned that if no clear evidence is provided, he would organize a mass protest to demand accountability. “We will not rest until the truth comes out and Cherif’s fate is known,” he declared.
We have been informed that Cherif has been killed, but no one knows where his body is or whether he is alive. We filed a paper before the court to get the man out and when the Sheriff went there, his return shows that they could not find the man at the Monrovia Central Prison… Between you and me, we will make sure that there will be accountability. For security people to enter the prison and remove a prisoner from there outside the jurisdiction of the court demonstrates recklessness, especially under a government that came to power under the rule of law.
Cllr. Kabineh Ja’neh, Cherif’s lawyer
Liberian authorities have so far remained silent on Ja’neh’s accusations, with the Liberian National Police (LNP) declining to issue a statement. The incident has fueled concerns not only over the conduct of Liberia’s security forces but also about Liberia’s potential alignment with Guinea’s authoritarian regime. Political analysts warn that any perceived alignment with a junta linked to human rights abuses and foreign powers, such as Russia, could harm Liberia’s international standing and undermine its commitment to democratic principles.
Ja’neh’s fierce stance against what he considers unlawful actions by the Boakai government has sparked a broader debate on the protection of human rights and the rule of law in Liberia. The unfolding case puts pressure on the Boakai administration to clarify its involvement and demonstrate adherence to both domestic and international legal standards.
