A non-profit organization, Men Against Rape and Domestic Violence (MARDV) has called on the Liberia National Police (LNP) authorities to speed up with investigations of commander Sayon Wolahof Zone 3 police depot.
The call comes as a result of allegations that commander Wolah allegedly beat and kicked a pregnant woman in her stomach in the Old Road Community and this led to her and the unborn child’s death.
MARDV Executive Director Mark N. Mengonfia at a press conference in Paynesville over the weekend said it is unthinkable that a police officer and a commander would be involved with acts condescending of an officer of the law.
He stated that all these recent incidents are very disturbing and the image they put out there in the world is that Liberia is not a safe place for women and children.
According to Mengonfia, the reported action of the LNP zone commander implies that the police are not policing well in that an officer of the law, particularly a commander, can be the one doing such to not just a citizen or a woman, but a pregnant woman.
Mengonfia wants the LNP to speed up with the investigation and make findings available to the public according to the police recent press release that they will initiate an , “impartial investigation.”
“It is mind-boggling to see that a police officer who is to protect life and property is causing the death of a woman and an unborn baby, ” he said.
He added, “We like to first and foremost say thanks to Police IGP Coleman and his team for taking actions against those police officers who have been boring holes in the boats, causing problems for the noble police profession.
IGP Colman, like your spokesperson Cecelia G. Clarke said in a press release that an “impartial investigation” will be conducted about the reported action of one of your commanders, MARDV wants it to be done in time and the findings be made public to the people of Liberia so as it is not seen as covering wrongdoers in the police force.”
Mr. Mengonfia also highlighted the recent killingof a woman of six children identified as Dorris Kollie in Bong County by her former boyfriend, Lawrence King who is said to be on the run according to news from the county.
MARDV ED said the news of Dorris’ death is a very sad development especially when she has gone for a feast and met her untimely death leaving behind her husband and the children.
“We can not say what the circumstances were before Lawrence took her life, what really concerns us is that life was lost leaving innocent children motherless” Mengonfia intoned.
The case of a computer teacher at Nathan E. Gibson identified as Stephen Jackson who reportedly impregnated a minor and later encouraged her to abort thus leading to her death was also an issue spoken about at the press conference.
Although she has been laid to rest and the suspect is also on the run, Mengonfia said there are arguments that although she was underage, she and her computer teacher have been in a secret relationship.
“Let this be made clear to all that the rape law of 2005 states that having an affairs with anyone under the age of 18 is rape and is punishable by law” MARDV boss said at the conference.
The MARDV boss said as an organization they have followed the news of a Liberian-American, Othello Bruce accused of repeatedly raping his 14-year-old daughter.
He stated that from what they have read and followed, in January of 2013, a grand jury in Worcester County indicted Bruce on 12 counts, including four charges of aggravated statutory rape and others.
“We like to appreciate the government of Liberia for this great step to have granted the extradition request from the US government under the terms of the 1937 extradition treaty between the two countries” he added.
According to him, the extradition of the Liberian-American should serve as a notice to those who commit crimes in one country and run to the other as fugitives.
“Liberia or any country should not be used as hideouts for criminals, aggressors of the laws” Mengonfia said.
Mengonfia recommended that when rape and domestic violence cases are reported and those accused run from facing the law, their images should be placed at major public institutions, borders, Airports and highways that they are WANTED so that when they are seen, the police can be alerted to make arrests.
He indicated that when those involved are arrested, there should be no compromise, but to send them to court to face their punishment in keeping with the laws of Liberia.
“We from Men Against Rape and Domestic Violence ( MARDV) love to inform the public that our advocacies are in the interest of our country. This is why we have consistently created awareness to prevent rape and domestic violence; we don’t want to wait for rape and domestic violence to occur before we condemn or get in the streets to protest” he stressed.
He stated that as part of the organization’s most recent activities aimed at creating awareness, they have an hour-long talk show on Prime FM every Monday from 2-3pm and it is done in simple English to afford both the educated and uneducated get their anti-rape and domestic violence messages.
Also, in partnership with Just A Girl Initiatives, he said they have launched a nationwide football tournament which began on March 15 in Montserrado County and was later on in April extended to Margibi County.
According to him, the group is currently planning for the Bong County day-long Football Tournament.
Mengonfia furthered, “Thanks to our partnership with Just A Girl Initiative of Mrs. Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh as we have merged our ideas through an MOU to tackle rape and domestic violence as a term.”
At MARDV, we say, “ Men, we are part of the problem. So, let’s be part of the solution.”
MARDV is a non for profit organization that was established in 2020 by late Sports Journalist, Trogen Kiazolu and men from diverse professional backgrounds to create anti-rape and domestic violence awareness in Liberia as means of reducing the growing number of rape and violence in the Liberian society.
Signed: Mark N. Mengonfia
ED, MARDV
