By Precious D. Freeman
Seventeen inmates who had been languishing in Monrovia Central Prison for up to nine years without trial, walked free on Wednesday, after a ruling by Criminal Court “A” condemning the Liberian government for violating their constitutional rights.
Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie ordered their release following a motion filed by defense lawyers, who argued that the state’s failure to formally indict or prosecute the detainees amounted to a severe breach of justice.
“You are not freed because the crimes were not committed,” Judge Willie told the former inmates during a packed court session at the Temple of Justice. “You are freed because the government failed to proceed with your prosecution. If any of you commit a crime again and are brought back before this court, you will have yourselves to blame. Go and sin no more.”
The ruling marks the first wave of release of over 100 inmates scheduled to be freed in the coming days.
As the 17 former inmates including Diana Walter, Andrew Williams, James Walker, and Momo Kanneh emerged from the notorious South Beach prison, many fell to their knees in tears, praising God.
The group had been detained on allegations ranging from murder and armed robbery to arson and conspiracy.
Most had been arrested between 2017 and 2019 but were never formally indicted; a clear violation of Article 21 (F & H) of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution and Section 18.2 of the Criminal Procedure Law.
Defense lawyers, led by Sennay Carlor and human rights advocate Aloysius Toe of the Public Interest Advocacy Center, filed the motion on April 8, demanding their release due to the prolonged and unlawful detention.
“This prolonged detention without trial is not only unlawful but a gross violation of their constitutional rights,” Cllr. Carlor told the court. “The state has failed, refused, and neglected to indict these defendants as required by law.”
Judge Willie agreed, ordering the phased release of 106 detainees.
However, five individuals were excluded from the decision because indictments had been filed against them before the motion was heard.
Prosecutors opposed the motion, requesting additional time to prepare indictments. But the court dismissed the plea, citing years of inaction and disregard for due process.
Human rights organizations have long criticized Liberia for its widespread use of pre-trial detention, particularly for poor and vulnerable suspects who lack access to lawyers or bail.
Wednesday’s ruling, while a relief for the 17 newly freed individuals, underscores a larger call for comprehensive reform in Liberia’s criminal justice system.
The court’s decision to continue releasing unlawfully detained inmates is expected to send shock waves through a legal system in dire need of accountability and reform.
