By Moses J. Dawoe
-Maryland (freelance)
The Liberia National Police (LNP) has dragged and detained 12 students of the William V.S. Tubman University following a peaceful protest.
The arrested students were Lorenzo Dogbeh Jr.; Peter Sieh; Jue H. Dennis; Prince Howbert; John Doe; Michael Toe; Emmanuel Dennis and Nelson B.D. Dio.
Four of the arrested students who were also among those previously suspended included Paul P.K. Blayon; Justina Gayesue; Emmanuel G. Doryen and Anthony Glee Mle Harris.
They were arrested on the morning of Monday, December 9, 2024, when some members of the Student Unification Alliance (SUA) staged a peaceful march to petition the administration of William V.S. Tubman University to reconsider its decision to suspend 15 members of the political group for alleged violations of the student handbook.
The suspensions were based on the alleged violation of Chapter 11.20.5 of the student’s handbook, which pertains to disorderly conduct, among other infractions.
Witnesses accused some police officers of behaving unprofessionally during the protest when they allegedly brutalized and stripped naked a female student, who was among those previously suspended as a result of the protest.
However, the leadership of SUA justified their protest by citing Article 17 of the Liberian Constitution, which guarantees the right to assemble and petition in an orderly and peaceful manner: “All persons, at all times, in an orderly and peaceable manner, shall have the right to assemble and consult upon the common good, to instruct their representatives, to petition the Government or other functionaries for the redress of grievances, and to associate fully with others or refuse to associate in political parties, trade unions, and other organizations.”
Meanwhile, Police Superintendent Moses Sawary confirmed the arrest of the 12 students on the university campus and stated that the students are currently in police custody and under investigation.
According to the police charge sheet, the four suspended students face charges of criminal trespass, felonious restraint, and disorderly conduct while the remaining eight individuals are charged with felonious restraint and disorderly conduct.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of a local Civil Society Organization, Thomas Marwalo, condemned the police’s actions and called for a dialogue between all parties involved.
He emphasized that resolving conflicts requires addressing students’ concerns while respecting the university administration’s decisions; criticizing the university’s policy on student politics, calling it contradictory noting, “You cannot ban student politics on the William V.S. Tubman University campus while simultaneously maintaining a student government or political leadership structure.”
