By: Peter Dennis
Desk Editor

IPNews-Monrovia: Three human rights advocacy groups in Nimba County are demanding the immediate dismissal of the presiding Judge of Criminal Court ‘E’ at the Eighth Judicial circuit court in Sanniquellie, Judge Hector W. Quoigoah.

The human rights advocacy groups include the Alliance for Gender Justice and Human Rights, the One Nimba Movement and the Progressive Students Movement of Nimba.

Judges Hector W. Quoigoah and Roland Dahn recently released on bail two alleged rape perpetrators, Saye Mezee and Wilfred Mandein.

Wilfred P. Mandein, 31, of Ganta and a Guinean traditional herbalist, Saye Mezee, 34, of Saclepea City, Nimba County were reported to have been released on bail by two the judges at the county’s Eighth Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie City.

The two suspects were charged by police for statutory rape and sent to the Sanniquellie Central Prison ahead of prosecution. Rape is a second degree felony and a non-bailable crime.

It is against this backdrop that many legal minds and ordinary Liberians think the judges might have erred
Reports say the suspects were released by the judges through the intervention of Attorney- at-law, Lawrence Sua.

Mandein was released on bond while the Guinean traditional herbalist, Mezee, was released for three months to seek medical treatment.

Speaking during a peaceful protest on the grounds of the Court, the ring-leader and Executive Director of the Alliance for Gender Justice and Human Rights said they were appalled by the reported release of the suspects and is calling on Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor to investigate circumstances leading to their release.

Ms. Abigal B.L. Freeman stated that they will continue their protest actions until the Judges are dismissed and probed.

“I want to use this opportunity to call on the government of Liberia to immediately dismiss Judge Hector Quoigoah and set up committee to investigate him because he is corrupt and lacks morals. There is nowhere in the world someone who took oath to defend people will release rape suspects illegally during state of emergency.

They also want the two rape suspects re-arrested and tried in order to deter others from engaging in such immoral act.

According to the protesters, if nothing is done speedily to re-arrest the suspects, they will disrupt the pending county council sitting.

“We are going to be here throughout this week and next week. We are not deterred by the presence of security here. We are prepared to combat any force they want to send to distract us. The securities are our friends.

“If Mr. Wilfred Mandein and Saye Mezee are not apprehended and brought to this court and tried, there will be no county council sitting.

Abigal noted that their actions were part of a campaign aimed at curtailing the unprecedented wave of Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the county and Liberia at large.

She revealed that similar exercise will be rolled out in other counties.
Protest by the groups stalled the normal functioning of the court.

Uncompromisingly, the protesters were shouting anti-rape slogans “Our Girls are our future, Stop raping them; rape is a non-bailable crime, re-arrest the suspects”.

After hours of peaceful protest, authorities of the 8th Judicial circuit court through Attorney John Miah arranged a dialogue with the protesters but wanted it be done in the absence of the press even though he claimed the protest was illegally staged.

But the protesters insisted that the media be allowed to provide coverage of said dialogue.

This was a bone of contention between authorities of the court and the protesters.

However, the dialogue could not go on as planned due to the refusal of the court to allow the press cover it.
The protesters eventually cut off their protest actions to continue in subsequent time.

Addressing Journalists shortly after the protesters cut off their protest actions; Nimba County Attorney John Miah expressed dismay over their refusal to dialogue with the court.

“When I heard the noise outside I went there to inquire what was happening. I told the protesters that it was good for us to sit on a round table to discuss their plights. I never received any information from these people that they were protesting.

“What they wanted to do to this court and the Judicial system of Liberia was to bring press in the court chambers and whatsoever they report to the world so be it”

When asked about the release of the two alleged rapists, Att. Miah referred the press to Judge Hector Quoigoah, saying he will be the best person to answer to media inquiry into the release of the suspects.

Meanwhile, efforts to contact Judge Quoigoah proved futile up to press time.