Liberia Judge issues final warning to police over cybercrime suspect detention

A Liberian judge has issued a final warning to the Liberia National Police (LNP) regarding the detention of Jerry Nyantee Wrato, who is facing various cybercrime charges including cyberstalking, misuse of a device, and the distribution of intimate images without consent.

During a habeas corpus hearing at the Temple of Justice, Assigned Circuit Judge Pape Suah postponed the proceedings after no police officers appeared for the second consecutive hearing. The judge stated that if the police fail to appear at the rescheduled hearing on Friday, September 25, the court “will make an informed decision and will use the appropriate legal authority.”

Defense counsel Cllr. Garrison D. Yealue argued that the detention is illegal, claiming Wrato has been held for more than 120 hours, violating the 48-hour constitutional limit. Prosecutors from the Ministry of Justice requested the postponement, claiming that the Inspector General of Police and other senior officers were out of the country.