Monrovia — After spending up to nine years behind bars without trial, 17 inmates walked free from the Monrovia Central Prison on Wednesday — released by a court that ruled their prolonged detention without indictment was a gross failure of justice by the Liberian government.
The decision, handed down by Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice, marked the first batch of over 100 inmates ordered released following a motion filed by defense lawyers who argued the detainees’ rights had been repeatedly violated.
As the freed inmates emerged from the notorious South Beach prison — some carrying their few belongings in plastic bags and old cloth bundles — scenes of joy and relief filled the courtroom. Many of them fell to their knees, praising God after years of waiting in legal limbo.
But Judge Willie was firm in his message.
“You are not freed because the crimes were not committed,” he told the former inmates. “You are freed because the government failed to proceed with your prosecution. If any of you commit a crime again and are brought back before this court, you will have yourselves to blame. Go and sin no more.”
The judge also instructed court clerk J. Gabriel Smith to record their personal details — including addresses and contact numbers — as part of standard court procedures.
Years of Detention Without Justice
Those released had been facing a range of criminal allegations, including murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, arson, manslaughter, and criminal conspiracy. Among them were Diana Walter, Andrew Williams, James Walker, Momo Kanneh, Tonny Boimah, Samuel Poka, Daniel Kennedy, Daniel Williams, Papay Kennedy, Ernest P. Vandy, Perry Kpor, Joe William, Josiah Jeboe, Daddyboy Johnson, David Toe, Abraham Watson, and others.
Many of the suspects were arrested between 2017 and 2019 but were never formally indicted by the government — a clear violation of Liberia’s Constitution and Criminal Procedure Law.
On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, defense lawyers led by Cllr. Sennay Carlor II, along with human rights advocate Cllr. Aloysius Toe of the Public Interest Advocacy Center, filed a consolidated motion demanding the court dismiss the charges and release the inmates.
They argued that under Article 21 (F & H) of the 1986 Constitution and Section 18.2 of the Criminal Procedure Law, no citizen should be held indefinitely without formal indictment and trial.
“The state has failed, refused, and neglected to indict these defendants as required by law,” Cllr. Carlor told the court. “This prolonged detention without trial is not only unlawful but a gross violation of their constitutional rights.”
Judge’s Ruling
Judge Willie ruled in favor of the defense, ordering the release of 106 inmates in phases. However, five individuals were excluded from the release because indictments had already been issued against them prior to the motion filing.
Wednesday’s release of 17 inmates is the first step in the enforcement of the court’s order.
The government, through its prosecutors, resisted the motion, pleading for more time to prepare indictments. But the court rejected the plea, citing years of government inaction.
Broader Implications
This case has once again spotlighted Liberia’s chronic problem of pre-trial detention and the systemic failures within the country’s justice system.
Human rights organizations have for years criticized the government for overcrowded prisons, delays in prosecution, and the illegal detention of suspects without trial — especially those who cannot afford legal representation.
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