Published: September 17, 2025
MONROVIA — The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) has warned against interference in the ongoing investigation into rape allegations against Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Bryant McGill, saying attempts to compromise the case would amount to obstruction of justice.
“Anyone found interfering or intervening for a compromise of the case will be held for obstruction of justice, which is a violation of the relevant provisions of the Penal Law of Liberia,” AFELL President Cllr. Philomena Williams said.
AFELL, a long-standing advocacy body for the rights of women and girls, pledged to support the Ministry of Justice in prosecuting the case. The group urged the government to strengthen the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Unit by providing financial and logistical support to ensure effective operations. While acknowledging the rights of the accused, AFELL demanded justice for the survivor and called for urgent action from law enforcement.
“We call on the police to speedily investigate this grave crime by conducting adequate analysis and thorough examinations, while utilizing a survivor-centered approach in all processes. We also call for the immediate arrest of Deputy Minister Bryant McGill and the forwarding of the case to court for prosecution,” Williams said.
The organization expressed dismay that officials entrusted with the protection of children are themselves being accused of sexual violence against minors. AFELL underscored that statutory rape is a serious crime under Liberian law, noting that consent is legally irrelevant when the victim is a minor.
The group criticized the Liberia National Police for failing to establish probable cause for an arrest despite medical evidence. AFELL said its members visited police headquarters on Monday, Sept. 15, and were “dismayed to see the suspect loitering at the police station” more than a week after the crime was reported.
The case was first reported to police on Sept. 2. According to the survivor’s father, a medical examination confirmed that his 14-year-old daughter had been sexually assaulted, establishing statutory rape. AFELL noted that both the medical report and the identification of the suspect provided sufficient grounds for an arrest.
“In cases of statutory rape, where the victim is underage, consent is irrelevant. Evidence of the sexual act is sufficient for probable cause,” the group said in its statement.
AFELL extended sympathy to the family of the survivor and urged them to remain patient, assuring that “the law will take its course.”
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