Suspect's Whereabouts in Police Custody Sparks Outrage

Paynesville, Liberia: Protest stormed the Jacob's Town Police Deport, in Paynesville, over the weekend, as a group of women captured barely naked, insisted seeing the living body of a suspect who they claimed his whereabouts in Police's custody remains unclear.

Protesting women, toting placards, said the individual identified as Benjamin Morris was arrested about a month and two weeks ago by officers of the Liberia National Police and brought to the Jacob's Town Police Deport for detention.

According to them, since the arrest, there has been no further details provided by the Police about whether the individual remains in jail or being released.

Reports indicate that Benjamin Morris, a taxi driver, was arrested around the Neezoo Junction near the Jacob's Town Community in Paynesville with his vehicle also impounded.

Sources say the Police spotted strange goods being transported by the individual, a tip that K-News cannot independently verify.

The protesters said while they do not intend to interfere with justice, it is necessary for the Police to tell the current status of the case and locate Benjamin Morris.

They alarmed that it is a violation of a person's right to spend such a time under Police's jurisdiction without his/her family or lawyer being informed about whether charges have been made and the matter is before the court.

Article 21(b) of the Liberian constitution provides that "Every person arrested or detained shall be formally charged and presented before a court of competent jurisdiction within forty-eight hours."

Speaking during the protest, the wife to the suspect, only Identified as Louise, claimed that there has been a series of follow-ups with the Jacob's Police Deport about the whereabouts of Morris, but to no avail.

She said protesters' decided to peacefully mount the Police station and simply demand seeing the suspect and knowing where he is currently held, given the length of time since he was reportedly arrested.

According to her, their action does in any way intend to interfere with the law by requesting Morris' premature release. Louise told reporters that she is bothered with the situation and needs urgent answers from the Liberia National Police.

She noted that she now struggles to feed and send their children to school, while the whereabouts of her husband remains questionable.

"My husband has lost", Louise claimed. She furthered: "My husband went on the traffic and called me and said, come to Jacob Town Depot. When I came, I saw the police carrying my husband in a white Police pickup".

"‎I want the government to tell the police to bring my husband back. I'm missing him so much".

Despite hours protesting that stalled traffic and brought normal activities at the Police station to a standstill, the Jacob's Town Police Deport could yield to protesters' demand.

Meanwhile, authorities of the Liberia National Police managed to claim women protesters, assuring them that their concern will be addressed in the coming days.

The Liberia National Police has not refuted claims of protesters and has also not officially briefed the media whether it holds the contested individual, Benjamin Moore, in custody.