Court says it will make an ‘informed decision’ if the IG and the arresting officer miss Friday’s hearing
MONROVIA – Criminal Court “B” at the Temple of Justice has given the Liberia National Police (LNP) one last chance to appear and explain why it is holding Jerry Nyantee Wrato. Wrato is charged with several cybercrime offences, and his lawyers say the police arrested him illegally and have held him far beyond the 48 hours allowed by the Constitution.
By Rodney D Sieh
Assigned Circuit Judge Pape Suah postponed the habeas corpus hearing on Thursday, September 24, 2026. No police officer appeared in court for the second straight hearing. The judge moved the matter to Friday, September 25, at 11 a.m. and warned that if the police fail to appear again, the court “will make an informed decision and will use the appropriate legal authority.”
Wrato faces charges of misuse of device, cyberstalking, distributing data messages that incite damage to property or violence, and distributing intimate images without consent. He sat in the dock during Thursday’s proceedings.
Prosecution blames officials’ absence
Government lawyers Cllr. Isaac B. Williams, Sr. and Cllr. Irene N. D. Saie represented the Ministry of Justice. They asked for the postponement. According to the court minutes, they said the arresting officer, the Inspector General of Police, officers of Units 102, 103 and 106, the chief investigator and other senior officers were all out of Monrovia and out of the country.
The prosecutors told the court they had “belief and assurance” that the officers would be back in Montserrado County in time for Friday’s hearing.
Defence: ‘bad faith’ and ‘disrespect’
Wrato’s lawyer, Cllr. Garrison D. Yealue, told the court the request was “made in bad faith” and was “a complete disrespect” to the court. He said the police had “illegally arrested the Petitioner and illegally kept him for more than 120 hours.” He argued that the police were now refusing to answer to a key provision of the 1986 Constitution.
The defence also rejected the excuse that the officials were away. Counsel argued that the police is an institution. Even if the Inspector General is abroad, he said, more than 60 deputies and assistant directors remain in the country, and “they choose to disrespect this Honorable Court.”
Counsel asked Judge Suah to reject the prosecution’s request. He also asked the judge to issue contempt proceedings against the Inspector General and his senior officers for “intentionally, willfully and disrespectfully ignoring” the court’s order.
Judge questions government’s paperwork
In his ruling, Judge Suah said the court had halted the previous hearing because the police and the Ministry of Justice did not appear to show cause why the writ should or should not be granted.
The judge said the Ministry of Justice claimed the defendant was already before the court, but it had not provided “sufficient and convincing evidence” that the case was sent to court in keeping with law. He said the documents the state described as a return from the Magisterial Court did not show who made the return, when it was made, or when the case was received.
The court had ordered government lawyers to make sure the police authorities and the arresting officer came to Thursday’s hearing. Judge Suah said “not even a single police officer” appeared. He noted that under habeas corpus, whoever has a person in custody must come to court and show why that person should or should not be released.
The judge said that “to its greatest surprise,” the prosecution then asked for a continuance because the officers were outside the country. He described the police’s refusal to come to court as “a disrespect.” He said he would use all relevant legal authority under the 1986 Constitution and the habeas corpus statute to make sure the arresting officer appears.
Even so, Judge Suah granted the continuance as the respondents’ “last opportunity.” He ordered the Clerk of Court to serve notices of assignment on the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General, the Solicitor General, the Montserrado County Attorney’s office, and the Office of the Inspector General of Police.
The defence took exception to the ruling. The matter was then suspended until Friday.
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