Photo of the tortured woman in question
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
Liberian Police authorities in Monrovia have released findings from the Professional Standard Division in Lofa County, holding six police officers liable for torturing a woman, 50.
It was recommended that the local police Commander and five other officers be penalized and indefinitely suspended for allegedly torturing a woman and three other persons in Ndawalahum, Kolahun District, Lofa County.
According to the findings, the incident of torture, cruelty, inhuman and degrading treatment meted out against some residents of Kalahun district.
The Professional Standard Division recommended that the following actions be taken against the six police officers:
That the following officers namely, Inspector Christiana Taylor(General Commander) Patrolman Francis M. Somah, Patrolman Frank A. Williams and Patrolman Jacob F. Fomba are with immediate effect suspended for time indefinite of their job without pay; turned over to the crime services division for further investigation pertaining to their involvement and the handcuffing, questioning and beating of victims Jenet Ndebeh, Ndebeh Harris, J. Patrick Fomba and Jartu Ndebeh of Kolahun District Lofa County on September 24,2020.
The victims were tortured by officers of the LNP, in order for them to confess to having knowledge of the death of an 80-year-old woman, Wendor Kammajai’s death whose remains were discovered in a swamp belonging to Jenet Ndebeh.
According to the findings, the action of those officers are in violation of section 6.1 of the administration instructions on discipline and professional standards, which point out the offenses of torture, cruelty, inhuman and degrading treatment.
The findings stated that sergeant Peter M. Beyan and Detective Andrew Tamba are exonerated on grounds that they were out of the town hall, when the alleged victims were being beaten and tortured. But they are being suspended for one month without pay for their failure to report the alleged torture incident against the victims, which contravene Chapter 2 section 1.58 and also Annex 3. This has to do with disciplinary penalty, section 3, category D Lack of truthfulness of the LNP duty manual.
On September 24,2020, victims Jenet Ndebeh and three others were been severely Flogged and tortured by six police officers after lifeless body of a missing 80 years old woman Wendor Kammajai was discovered in a swamp belonging to her.
The police Professional Standard Division (PSD) held investigator, Inspector Christina Taylor and five other officers of the Kolahun police detachment for torturing on Jenet Ndebeh and three other victims.
Police officers who should protect lives and properties are the one who taking the lead in torturing and mal handling or accusing peaceful citizens without Investigation or doing what the laws or penal code says.
Madam Jenneh Ndebeh, who was seen with bruises all over her body, alleged that she was invited for questioning by police officers after the corpse of the 80-year-old woman was found in a swamp belonging to her, something she said she knows nothing about.
According to her, Officer Frank Williams, popularly known as “Fat Boy”, took her behind a house, asked her to offer last prayer and began beating on her with a wire.
The action of the police officers prompted condemnation by human rights activists and Civil Society groups in Lofa County, who called on National Government to ensure that Justice is served into the matter for the victim.