Published: October 7, 2026
MONROVIA— Former Independent National Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Cllr. T. Dempster Brown was arrested Tuesday after the Monrovia City Court issued a writ of arrest against him over allegations that he forged the signatures of fellow commissioners on a court document.
Brown was arrested Oct. 7, after Stipendiary Magistrate L. Ben Barco ordered police to take him into custody and bring him before the court to answer to the forgery allegation.
The case was brought by the Republic of Liberia through the INCHR, represented by its acting chairperson, Cllr. Mohammed E. Fahnbulleh.
According to the writ, Brown is accused of knowingly and intentionally forging the signatures of fellow INCHR commissioners on a petition for a writ of habeas corpus that was allegedly presented to a court without their knowledge, acquiescence or consent.
Prosecutors described the alleged act as criminal, illegal and unlawful and said it constitutes a violation of Liberia’s New Penal Law governing forgery.
Brown’s arrest marks the latest development in a prolonged dispute involving him and other commissioners of Liberia’s national human rights institution.
Before the current criminal allegation, Brown was involved in a separate legal dispute after several commissioners challenged his decision to withhold their salaries.
The commissioners, including Atty. Mohammed El-Dust Fahnbulleh, Dr./Cllr. Niveda Ricks Onuoha, Atty. Patmilla Doe Paivey and Pindarous Allison, sought a writ of prohibition, arguing that Brown had exceeded his authority by withholding their compensation.
Brown defended the action, maintaining that, as administrative head of the INCHR, he had the authority to take administrative measures against commissioners who he alleged had failed to report to work and perform their responsibilities.
The dispute eventually reached the Supreme Court of Liberia, where Justice Ceaineh D. Clinton-Johnson delivered the opinion. The Supreme Court upheld the lower court’s decision, finding that Brown acted within his administrative authority in ordering the withholding of the commissioners’ salaries under the circumstances presented in the case.
The dispute, however, continued.
Brown later faced allegations that he forged commissioners’ signatures on a court filing, particularly a petition for a writ of habeas corpus. The allegation subsequently formed part of complaints lodged against him and became an issue in the controversy surrounding his leadership of the INCHR.
The latest court action has moved the forgery allegation into criminal proceedings, with the Monrovia City Court’s writ ordering authorities to arrest Brown and bring him before the court for further proceedings.
Following his arrest, Brown filed a criminal appearance bond and was released from the prisoner bench pending further court proceedings.
The forgery charge remains an allegation. Brown is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction.
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