IPNEWS-Monrovia: The Ministry of Justice concedes to a petition filed by the Independent National Commission on Human Rights Commission (INCHR) demanding the Liberia National Police (LNP) to turn over a senior police officer, Joshua During for prosecution on allegation of rape.
The concession follows Associate Justice Jamesetta Wolokollie’s April 29, 2022 legal conference with the parties’ lawyers surrounding the INCHR’s petition for the Writ of Mandamus.
Assistant Minister for Litigation at the Ministry of Justice, Cllr. Wesseh A. Wesseh confirmed that they conceded to the petition during a meeting with the presiding Justice-in-Chambers at the Supreme Court.
Associate Justice Jamesetta Wolokollie
Cllr. Wesseh said their action is to allow transparency that will clear public doubts regarding concerning the matter, adding a formal request will be made to the LNP to surrender senior officer Joshua During to the Office of Montserrado County Attorney for investigation on allegation of rape.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the INCHR, Cllr. Dempster Brown has lauded the Ministry of Justice for conceding to the soundness of the Writ of Mandamus consistent with Chapter 16 Section 16.21 of the Civil Procedure Law of Liberia.
Justice Minister Frank Musa Dean – his Office will shortly request Senior LNP officer to be turned over for investigation on allegation of rape by a junior female officer
Recently Officer Joshua During was accused of raping a female police at the Headquarters of the Liberia National Police but was vindicated by the LNP’s Professional Standard Division following an investigation, a decision that sparked public outcries and caught the attention of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR).
It can recalled the Independent National Commission on Human Rights, by and through its Chairman T. Dempster Brown, filed a petition to the Chambers Justice Jamesetta Wolokolie, for a Writ of Mandamus, compelling the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General as well as the Director of Police to indict and prosecute Senior Liberia National Police Officer, Joshua During accused by his junior officer of rape.
Police Inspector General Patrick Sudue has no choice but to turn over to the Justice Minister senior police officer During for rape allegation investigation
The INCHR said it was unthinkable for the LNP Professional Standard Division to investigate an alleged crime of rape against its own officer and subsequently declared Officer of doing no wrong. The female police officer who is victim took exception and sought redress at the INCHR, where she has finally gotten redress for Senior Police Joshua During’s alleged action against her, now that he will be turned over to the Ministry of Justice for investigation and subsequent prosecution.
