Double Standards To Shield McGill?

By Jamesetta D. Williams

A heated national debate has erupted over the handling of an alleged rape case involving former Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, J. Bryant McGill, after Inspector General (IG) of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Gregory O. W. Coleman, announced that investigators have not gathered sufficient evidence to arrest the suspect; a position fiercely rejected by Sinoe County Senator Augustine Chea.

Speaking to journalists in Monrovia, IG Coleman revealed that weeks of police investigation including scene visits, CCTV reviews, witness interviews, and forensic analysis have so far failed to establish any direct link between McGill and the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl.

“After reviewing CCTV footage, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing available evidence, we have not been able to connect the suspect to the alleged crime,” Coleman stated. “At this point, there is no sufficient evidence to warrant an arrest.”

According to the police chief, surveillance footage from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Eskinese Sports Company, where the incident allegedly occurred, showed no interaction between McGill and the victim. Investigators noted that the minor entered the compound around 6:14 p.m. and left at about 6:45 p.m., and McGill was reportedly at another location — the Police Academy area during that period.

“The evidence shows that at the time of the alleged incident, the suspect was elsewhere,” Coleman explained. “No security officer, staff member, or witness reported seeing them together.”

He further highlighted inconsistencies in the victim’s account of the incident, noting that her initial statement placed the assault between September 27 and 30, but she later claimed it occurred on September 28. “This is a sensitive case involving a minor, and we must be careful,” Coleman said. “But the changing details in her statements mean we must verify every aspect of the allegation before proceeding.”

Coleman stressed that no physical evidence, eyewitness testimony, or digital data places McGill and the victim together during the alleged timeframe. Despite the lack of evidence, McGill remains under investigation, has surrendered his passport, and reports to police daily. Investigators are also conducting a forensic analysis of his phone to verify his location.

“The suspect has been cooperative throughout the investigation,” Coleman noted. “We are working to retrieve and analyze phone data that could provide additional clarity.”

He emphasized that while the LNP takes all sexual and gender-based violence allegations seriously, accusations alone are not enough to justify an arrest. “We cannot and will not arrest a person without sufficient evidence,” he asserted. “Our duty is to follow the facts wherever they lead, not public opinion.”

The case, which has drawn widespread public attention, remains open as investigators await digital forensic results and other evidence.

However, Senator Augustine Chea of Sinoe County has strongly criticized the police’s handling of the investigation, accusing IG Coleman of obstructing justice and applying “double standards” to shield McGill because of his political ties.

“Why hasn’t Deputy Minister J. Bryant McGill been arrested? Is he untouchable?” Chea questioned. “IG Gregory Coleman is dead wrong. No DNA or forensic evidence is required to arrest a criminal suspect.”

The Senator argued that police routinely arrest suspects based on probable cause a reasonable belief, based on facts and circumstances, that a crime was committed and that the suspect committed it.

“The following facts and circumstances have established probable cause,” Chea asserted. “The 14-year-old victim said she was raped. A medical report supports penetration or injury. She identified J. Bryant McGill as the perpetrator. The police have video footage related to the crime. That’s enough for probable cause, even without DNA.”

He accused the police of selective enforcement of the law, noting that other high-profile suspects, including former Speaker Koffa, were arrested without forensic evidence. “Using different standards for criminal arrests not only violates the equal protection guaranteed by the Constitution but also erodes public confidence in the criminal justice system,” he said.

Chea further condemned what he described as “partisanship” within the police force. “Truth be told, the police under Gregory Coleman have become too partisan. Professionalism is dead, sadly!” he said.

Calling rape, a grave crime that violates the dignity of victims and leaves lifelong emotional and psychological scars, Chea emphasized that statutory rape sexual assault of a minor is a non-bailable offense under Liberian law.

As the investigation continues, public pressure is mounting on the LNP to take decisive action. The case remains one of the most closely watched in recent months, highlighting broader questions about accountability, justice, and equality before the law in Liberia’s criminal justice system.