Monrovia – An Executive Committee member of the governing Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Representative Dixon W. Seeboe, has filed a lawsuit against a female advocate residing in his district for allegedly accusing him of having “sex with girls” in his district.
Lawmaker Seeboe, who chairs the House Committee on Banking and Currency, represents the people of electoral district # 16, which is covers the Borough of New Kru Town.
The lawsuit was filed against female activist Bervina W. Brooks at the Bushrod Island Magisterial Court located in the St. Paul Bridge Community, outside Monrovia.
A writ of arrest was issued by the court’s clerk, Amos W. Cummings on June 11 following a mandate from the Stipendiary Magistrate, James F. Dudu.
Madam Brooks was ordered arrested to answer to the alleged “criminal coercion and disorderly conduct”.
According to the writ of arrest, a copy which is in the possession of FrontPageAfrica, Ms. Brook “intentionally, purposely and wickedly posted information on the social media, and tarnished the good character of the sitting Representative of District 16”
The writ maintains that defendant Brooks reduced the CDC lawmaker’s character when she accused him of “having sex with the girls in the district” and being a “stupid leader” in a Facebook post.
Brooks, who spent Thursday night behind bars at the Monrovia Central Prison, was released the following day after her lawyer Atty. Tonia Gibson of the Legacy Law Firm, filed a bail bond.
Speaking in an interview with reporters shortly after her released from prison, Madam Brooks d that the incident was triggered as a result of comments made between some constituents of the Borough in the New Kru Town chat room on the social media.
She claimed that the discussion at the time was centered on the alleged “inability of some leaders of the Borough”.
“I was arrested by the court with charges that I insulted the Representative. I went to the court only to find out that his intention was different because he had the bond brought at the Central prison because he wanted me to sleep in prison,” she said after her release.
“My lawyer could not press charges or bail me out because the Representative used his power to keep me here. According to him, I accused him of something that he doesn’t know anything about.”
Sexual Harassment Claim
“For the past three years, Representative Seeboe has been harassing me sexually for some reasons best known to him. I am saying it; this is for real. I have facts to proof it,” she alleged, adding that she had declined from instituting legal action against the Montserrado County lawmaker for fear of being stereotyped or misconstrued by others.
“I don’t need anything from him. I have been living my best life throughout. I’d want to press charges for people to say because the man is a Representative, she wants something from him, and that’s why she’s accusing him.
“I told my mom about it; she confronted him on several occasions. That was why he stayed away from her, and he stopped talking to her.”
Ms. Brooks cautioned Liberian men in authority to desist from using their “power” to harm or sexually harass or molest females.
She, however, expressed gratitude to inmates and officers at the Monrovia Central Prison for the affection shown her during her brief incarceration.
Following her release, family members and friends were seen in a jubilant mood chanting anti-Seeboe slogan including, “Dixon Seeboe shame, shame; Dixon Seeboe shame, shame”.
“For the past three years, Representative Seeboe has been harassing me sexually for some reason best known to him. I am saying it; this is for real. I have facts to prove it”
Burvina Brooks, A Resident of District 16
For his part, Representative Seeboe vowed to use the court to seek redress.
In a comment posted to his official Facebook profile, the CDC lawmaker urged critics to continue to speak their minds on the issue.
“A lawmaker who goes to the law for redress is far better than people who take the law in their hands. I will respectfully use the law. Say whatever you want to say,” he wrote.
In a brief chat with FrontPageAfrica via cellphone on Friday, Representative Seeboe promised to handle the matter void of politics.
“This little girl, who was just released, is saying something crazy. I am not going to allow politics to be part of it; trust me. She will just prove it,” he stressed.
Incident Sparks Mixed Reactions
Residents of New Kru Town appear to be divided over the incident involving the female advocate and the lawmaker.
Scores of residents took to the social media expressing mixed reactions over the lawsuit filed by the CDC lawmaker against Ms. Brooks.
“When a child is always disrespectful to people, it’s good to teach team lesson. Thank you Hon. Dixon W. Seeboe for teaching her lesson through the law. She will forever remember it. You are a true leader. More prisoners to follow,” writes Ansu Dorley on Facebook.
“Hope you watch her interview on KMTV, and the preservation of hard-earned character matters. Inciter(s) must tighten their belts,” added Robert Sneh.
Sophia T. Wreh had a different view: “We told you guys and thank God you people are seeing it for yourself. But let me just say this on behalf of females in the Borough of Kru Town, we say this wickedness should stop and we will continue to speak the truth until the right things are done. I am calling on all female generals to join this fight. Let justice be done for Bervina Brooks”
And Vaye Tiah added: “I don’t know this Bervina Brooks girl, nor Rep. Dixon Seeboe. But if this case goes through the court process and the lady have proof and witnesses that Dixon been harassing to sleep with her, then Dixon Seeboe has to step down as a Representative of that district. The President of Liberia been receiving all the insults before becoming President, and up to present, he has not sent anyone to jail. These guys have to account for the act. I know it is not only him with that behavior to sleep with these little girls. Liberia wake up and start holding people accountable for their actions; even the ones in high power”.