-As AFELL, Cllr. Gongloe, Others Warn Against Attempt to Shield Him from Justice
By Jerromie S Walters
Monrovia – Calls continue to heighten for the arrest of Deputy Minister for Youth Development, Bryant McGill who stands accused of raping the 14-year-old daughter of a ministry colleague on August 30, 2025. The allegation, a first-degree felony under Liberian law that is explicitly non-billable. However, the only alleged perpetrator identified so far continues to enjoy his freedom. This has drawn the attention of the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL), the Women’s Legislative Caucus of Liberia (WLC), and experienced Liberian lawyer Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, as well as several others.
In a press statement dated September 16, 2025, AFELL, a non-profit, non-governmental, and non-political women’s rights organization called on the Liberia National Police (LNP) to swiftly arrest Deputy Minister Bryant McGill. AFELL President Cllr. Philomena T. Williams condemned what it described as the police’s failure to act despite the availability of credible evidence, including a medical report confirming that the minor had been sexually abused.
“Statutory rape, defined as having sexual intercourse with a minor with or without consent, is a grave offense under Liberian law. The medical report already in the possession of the police, coupled with the identification of the alleged suspect, is sufficient to establish probable cause for arrest,” the statement read. AFELL disclosed that a delegation visited the LNP headquarters on Monday, September 15, only to find the accused loitering freely around the police station. The organization expressed dismay that, nearly two weeks after the crime was reported on September 2, no arrest had been made. The group further warned against any attempt to shield the accused from justice.
“Anyone found interfering or intervening to compromise this case will be held for obstruction of justice, which is a violation of the Penal Law of Liberia,” AFELL cautioned. The organization (AFELL) expressed sympathy to the survivor’s family, while voicing concern that public officials entrusted with safeguarding children are being accused of committing such crimes. The women’s rights body reaffirmed its commitment to join the Ministry of Justice in prosecuting the case. At the same time, AFELL urged the government to strengthen the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Unit by providing adequate funding and rehabilitating its dilapidated offices.
According to the group, the unit’s poor working conditions reflect a troubling lack of national commitment to combating sexual violence. AFELL concluded its statement by stressing that justice must not be delayed in cases of statutory rape, emphasizing that the law requires prompt action once credible evidence has been established.
Women’s Legislative Caucus Demands Swift Action
In addition to AFELL’s call, the Women’s Legislative Caucus of Liberia (WLC) has described the allegation as “deeply disturbing” and called for immediate action from the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice to ensure a fair and impartial investigation. “The Caucus strongly condemns any form of sexual and gender-based violence and expresses solidarity with the survivor of this troubling incident. We view this matter with the utmost seriousness and are committed to ensuring that justice is pursued without fear or favor,” Hon. Ellen Attoh Wreh, Chairperson of the Women’s Legislative Caucus said in a statement released on Tuesday.
The WLC urged the authorities to act swiftly, stressing that due process must be respected and the rights of all parties—especially the alleged survivor—protected throughout the proceedings. The statement further underscored that the case highlights the urgent need for stronger national mechanisms to prevent sexual violence in both public and private spaces. The Caucus warned that “no one is above the law” and insisted that individuals who violate the rights of women and girls must face accountability.
Reaffirming its mandate, the Women’s Legislative Caucus pledged to remain engaged in advocating for justice, protecting survivors of sexual violence, and promoting a society where women and girls can live without fear or abuse. “This case once again reminds us that Liberia must strengthen its legal, institutional, and community responses to sexual violence. We owe it to our daughters, sisters, and mothers to ensure that they are safe,” the statement added.
Also, prominent Liberian human rights lawyer and former presidential candidate Tiawan Saye Gongloe, has frowned on what he considers as “selective justice”, and calls for the arrest of Deputy Minister McGill. Gongloe expressed strong frustration over seeing the accused official moving freely while the investigation continues. “I am so angry this morning to hear that Deputy Minister McGill, a man who is accused of raping a 14-year-old girl, is passing up and down the street,” Gongloe stated. “He should be in the police cell. We cannot have selective justice.”
Evidence and Legal Backing:
The case against Deputy Minister Bryant McGill is backed by significant evidence. A hospital examination of the 14-year-old survivor produced a medical report confirming penetration, a critical element in establishing the crime of rape under Liberian law. In addition, the survivor has been placed in a safe home—an action that legal practitioners say signals to law enforcement that a grave offense has indeed been committed.
Under Chapter 14 of the New Liberian Penal Code, rape is categorized as a first-degree felony when the victim is under 18, carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The law further stipulates that such cases must be treated as capital offenses for bail purposes, meaning suspects are ordinarily subject to pre-trial detention.
In most rape cases, suspects are immediately arrested and held in custody while investigations and court proceedings continue. However, this standard procedure appears to have been sidestepped in McGill’s case. The Women and Children Protection Section of the Liberia National Police (LNP) confirmed in a video briefing that the Deputy Minister had merely presented himself for questioning—a departure from the norm that raises concerns about whether justice is being applied equally.
The Allegation:
The accusation was first reported by Christopher Davis, the Deputy Chief of Security for Administration at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Davis alleges that McGill raped his 14-year-old daughter, an assault he reported to the LNP on the night of the incident. In an interview with this paper on Sunday, Davis said his daughter is suffering from significant physical and psychological trauma.
He alleged that McGill destroyed her undergarments during the attack. “He even tore her underclothes to have her,” he said. The incident began when the teenager left her Paynesville home at 5:00 PM to deliver items to her aunt’s canteen at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. When she had not returned by 10:00 PM, her father and aunt began a search, eventually finding her returning home on a motorcycle.
After initial hesitation, the girl disclosed that she had been assaulted by a man she knew as “Uncle Bryant,” whom she identified as Bryant McGill, and reported that he had forced himself on her. Davis said he saw physical evidence of the assault. The case was immediately reported to the police. The following day, the survivor was taken for a medical examination, where doctors confirmed evidence of sexual assault. The medical report was provided directly to the police to prevent any potential compromise of the case.
