MONROVIA – Protesters in Monrovia are demanding the immediate arrest of suspended Deputy Minister for Youth Development Bryant McGill, accused of raping a 14-year-old girl, as public anger intensifies over police delays in acting on the case. Despite mounting evidence and repeated calls from civil society for swift justice, authorities have yet to detain McGill, fueling accusations of selective justice in a case that has gripped the nation.
On Thursday, September 18, 2025, The Movement Against Rape and Gender-Based Violence led a peaceful demonstration in the capital, warning that the government’s credibility was at stake. Protesters, many of them young women, carried placards bearing messages such as “No one is above the law,” “Rape is non-bailable,” and “Justice for the 14-year-old child.” The demonstration followed an earlier gathering at the Ministry of Gender where citizens also demanded McGill’s immediate arrest and imprisonment.
Liberia National Police (LNP) Inspector General Gregory Coleman confirmed on Wednesday that the victim had indeed been sexually violated but said investigators were still working to establish McGill’s direct involvement. He stressed that DNA and other forensic evidence would be decisive in the case. “We are committed to a thorough, impartial investigation,” Coleman told reporters, urging the public to remain calm.
However, the delay in action has angered activists. Martin Kollie, a prominent critic of government handling of sexual violence cases, accused the police of shielding McGill. “A government-approved health facility confirmed rape in its report. But Police IG says they want to conduct DNA. Why didn’t you do it since August 30? DNA for rape takes about six hours. Meanwhile, others were jailed without this special treatment. I just laugh,” Kollie wrote in a Facebook post that drew wide attention.
At Thursday’s Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) briefing, Deputy Minister of Information Daniel Sando defended the government’s handling of the case. He cautioned against what he described as “rushing to judgment,” warning against repeating past mistakes where public outrage clouded investigations. “The way forward is not to take placards to the Liberia National Police. Give the investigation the chance. Let’s follow the professional standard of investigation,” Sando said.
Civil society leaders, however, remain deeply concerned about delays. Loretta Alethea Pope Kai, Chairperson of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, underscored the importance of timely evidence collection. “Obtaining DNA evidence early is crucial in sexual assault cases. It strengthens the prosecution’s case and helps preserve the integrity of the investigation. However, the timing and handling of this investigation raise serious concerns,” she said.
The case began after the victim’s father, Christopher Davis, Deputy Chief of Security at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, filed a formal complaint with the LNP. President Joseph N. Boakai subsequently suspended McGill, a move that protesters welcomed but said was insufficient without an arrest.
Gender activist and campaigner Vickjune Headliner Wutoh, who joined Thursday’s protest, praised the courage of participants and the media’s coverage. In a passionate Facebook post, she described the 14-year-old survivor as “a representation of thousands of young women and girls in Liberia and across the world who go through similar experiences.” Wutoh criticized political polarization around the case, saying: “Imagine trying to change the enforcement of the rape law for a man because he is a government official and a member of your party when thousands of others are behind bars without the same special treatment. We need to put aside our political garments and see Liberia first.”
Meanwhile, the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) welcomed McGill’s suspension but demanded stronger action. In a statement, the group stressed that “sexual violence against children must never be minimized,” adding that Liberia’s youth “deserve leaders who protect, not exploit them.” The group urged both the police and the Justice Ministry to ensure the case is handled swiftly, fairly, and without political interference.
With protests growing louder and public patience wearing thin, the McGill case has become a defining test of Liberia’s justice system and its willingness to hold the powerful accountable in cases of sexual violence.
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