STAND Chairman Morlu Appears in Court Amid Obstruction and Criminal Facilitation Allegations
Abraham Sylvester Panto 
MONROVIA, LIBERIA: Chairman of the Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), Mulbah K. Morlu, has appeared before the Monrovia City Magisterial Court following charges arising from the December 17, 2025 “Lead or Leave” protest, a case that has drawn the state attention and scrutiny.
It can be recalled, Chairman Morlu voluntarily surrendered to the Liberia National Police in mid-December and faces allegations including obstruction of highway, criminal facilitation, failure to disperse, rioting, and disseminating information purportedly intended to undermine the credibility of law enforcement authorities.
Police authorities identified Chairman Morlu as a “person of interest,” asserting that he incited violence and facilitated activities that disrupted public order during the demonstration.
Morlu responded to these allegations, stating: “Following our peaceful protest in December, we were repeatedly summoned by police authorities as ‘persons of interest.’ As law‑abiding citizens, we honored every invitation and made ourselves available whenever called.”
The charges further allege that he circulated misleading information designed to erode public confidence in law enforcement, prompting authorities to pursue formal legal action as part of their mandate to maintain civic order.
The stand Chairman described the ruling as a validation of civil liberties and characterized the charges against him as politically motivated and lacking substantive merit, reinforcing his position that the protest had been peaceful and lawful.
“These allegations are not only unfounded—they were hastily manufactured barely a day after an alleged rapist was allowed to walk free, while the killers of Matthew Mulbah continue to roam in police uniform,” he asserted.
The STAND Chairman maintained that the protest had been peaceful and within constitutional bounds, framing the case as an infringement on civil liberties: “This is not law enforcement. It is a direct assault on civil liberties—a crude attempt to silence dissent, criminalize resistance, and intimidate voices that refuse to submit. It will fail.”
In a statements issued early mid Tuesday, January 13, 2026, on the inquiries of a sister platform, Chairman Morlu maintained that any disorder during the demonstration was provoked by infiltrators and external actors, emphasizing that the police actions constituted an infringement on the fundamental right to peaceful assembly.
He framed the proceedings within the broader context of civil liberties, legal accountability, and the responsibility of the state to uphold constitutional protections for its citizens.
Morlu’s current legal challenges follow his resignation in mid-2024 from the position of National Chairman of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), after which he assumed leadership of STAND, a civil society movement that has become increasingly critical of the Boakai administration.
His opposition has focused on issues such as economic hardship, judicial reform, and governance accountability, situating his legal proceedings within the ongoing tension between civic activism and state authority in Liberia.
Legal counsel representing Morlu and other STAND members have requested access to the complete evidence supporting the allegations and are preparing to contest the charges in upcoming court hearings, which have yet to be scheduled.
