Liberia National Police to prosecute Jerry Nyantee Wrato for cybercrime

The Liberia National Police (LNP) has announced it will proceed with the prosecution of Jerry Nyantee Wrato, despite a public request for his release from Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung. Wrato was arrested in connection with AI-generated content targeting the Vice President.

Wrato faces four charges under the Cybercrime Act of 2025: misuse of devices, cyberstalking, distribution of data messages that incite damage to property or violence, and the distribution of harmful data messages. LNP Inspector General Gregory O. W. Coleman informed the Vice President in a formal letter that while the police acknowledge Koung’s humanitarian stance and desire to show compassion, the matter is no longer solely determined by the personal wishes of the individual affected once a potential criminal offense is identified.

The case has sparked a national debate regarding the application of Liberia’s new Cybercrime Act and the boundary between criminal online conduct and protected expression. It highlights the legal distinction between a victim's decision to forgive and the state's statutory responsibility to investigate and prosecute alleged violations of the law.