MONROVIA – The National Police of Liberia has defended its handling of two high-profile rape investigations, amid growing public scrutiny over perceived disparities in law enforcement actions. Deputy Information Minister for Public Affairs, Daniel Sando, addressed concerns regarding the differing treatment of suspended Deputy Youth Minister Bryant McGill and Sando Kromah, a procurement contractor linked to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Public outcry escalated after Kromah was quickly detained following allegations of statutory rape, while McGill remained free during the early stages of the investigation. Critics questioned whether political connections influenced the pace of the probe.
Deputy Minister Sando explained that Kromah’s immediate detention was based on the “prompt availability of compelling primary evidence,” including forensic findings, corroborating witness accounts, and material evidence from the scene, which met the legal threshold for urgent arrest.
In contrast, Sando emphasized that the investigation into McGill required a more methodical approach to ensure procedural fairness. “Police protocol mandates a thorough investigation to establish probable cause before an arrest warrant can be secured,” he said, highlighting the need to balance due process with the rights of the accused.
The Deputy Minister reiterated the police commitment to impartiality, stressing that all allegations of sexual and gender-based violence are taken seriously, regardless of the accused’s political or professional status. While the public continues to monitor the McGill case, authorities maintain that ongoing investigations will follow legal procedures, with the aim of achieving justice grounded in evidence rather than public pressure.
