The Panoramic Justice Group (PJG), acting on behalf of its Executive Director and the widow of Patron Saint, hereby issues this urgent and solemn public statement to draw national and international attention to what we consider a deeply troubling and escalating pattern of human rights violations, judicial overreach, and abuse of state power in the treatment of Mrs. Comfort Thelma Duncan Sawyer and other similarly situated individuals.
This statement is formally addressed to the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) and, by extension, to all domestic and international institutions charged with the protection of human dignity, due process, constitutional governance, and the rule of law in and beyond the Republic of Liberia.
A Disturbing Pattern of State Conduct Mrs. Comfort Thelma Duncan Sawyer is no ordinary citizen. She is a former First Lady of the Republic of Liberia, a former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and a respected national figure whose life has been dedicated to public service. It is therefore deeply worrisome and profoundly disturbing that such an individual would be subjected to speculative accusations, incomplete investigations, and prolonged legal limbo without proper indictment or trial.
To date, Mrs Sawyer is indicted yet remains untried and case file without attention and assignment; the state appears either unwilling or unable to proceed to trial. This pattern is fundamentally inconsistent with due process, fair trial guarantees, and the presumption of innocence enshrined in Article 21 of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution and African and people’s rights instruments to which Liberia is a party.
The Initial Arrest: Dawn Raids and Arbitrary Detention As the Commission is aware, Mrs. Sawyer and others were arrested approximately five months ago during early-morning dawn raids a method typically reserved for violent offenders or individuals posing a demonstrable flight risk. She was denied immediate access to legal counsel and swiftly transferred to the Monrovia Central Prison, where she was detained alongside convicted criminals.
This treatment was grossly disproportionate, unnecessary, and contrary common decency, particularly given her age, fragile health condition, public standing, and the non-violent nature of the allegations. Such conduct constitutes clear violations of: the right to dignity of the human person; the right to prompt and unhindered access to legal counsel; and the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, as guaranteed under the 1986 Constitution of Liberia and binding international human rights conventions.
Medical Leave Granted-Then Punished Following this initial act of what we consider state intimidation and judicial overreach, Mrs. Sawyer was eventually permitted to travel abroad to seek urgent and necessary medical treatment, a fact well documented and acknowledged by state authorities. However, upon her lawful return to Liberia, the state chose not to proceed with prosecurion. Instead, it initiated a separate proceeding, resulting once again in her incarceration for an even longer period. Most alarmingly, state actors openly threatened to disregard a valid Criminal Appearance Bond granted by the Honorable Judge of Criminal Court “B” at the Temple of Justice.
Such conduct strikes at the heart of judicial authority, undermines the independence of the courts, and signals an alarming readiness by prosecutorial actors to subordinate binding court orders to political or institutional agendas.
Prolonged Detention Without Trial: A Constitutional Disruption and Crisis Five months after her initial arrest, Mrs. Sawyer remains trapped in cycle of accusation without adjudication. There has been: no formal indictment, no timely arraignment; and no transparent prosecutorial roadmap toward trial. This prolonged uncertainty amounts to punitive detention without conviction, which is constitutionally impermissible and internationally condemned. Under these circumstances, justice delayed becomes justice weaponized.
A Chilling Signal to the Public If a former First Lady, senior diplomat, and elderly woman can be treated in this manner-arrested without indictment, jailed with convicted criminals, denied prompt access to counsel, re-arrested after medical leave, and threatened with disregard for court-issued bail then no Liberian citizen is safe from similar abuse. This case sends a chilling message that power, rather than law, may now determine liberty.
Appeal to the National Commission on Human Rights and Allied Institutions Considering the foregoing, the Panoramic Justice Group respectfully but firmly calls upon the Independent National Commission on Human Rights, and other well-meaning institutions, to:
- Immediately open an independent investigation into the arrest, detention, and re-arrest of Mrs. Comfort Thelma Duncan Sawyer and others similarly affected;
- Assess the legality, necessity, and proportionality of their treatment under the 1986 Constitution and international human rights treaties;
- Intervene to ensure respect for judicial orders, including the Criminal Appearance Bond granted by Criminal Court “B”;
- Demand prosceutorial accountability, including a clear determination of whether the state intends to indict and proceed to trial or release the affected individuals unconditionally, and
- Issue a public report with binding recommendations to prevent the recurrence of such abuses against any Liberian citizen,
Broader Allegations of Systemic Abuse Equally alarming are persistent allegations of torture, cruel treatment, and abuse of detainees, reportedly carried out by elements of the security apparatus. Civil society actors and victims allege these abuses occur within a climate of fear and impunity, with senior officials accused of authorizing, enabling, or failing to prevent such conduct.
Senior officials of the Government of Liberia including Atty. Samuel Kofi Woods (National Security Advisor); Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh (Minister of Justice); Cllr, Bushuben Keita (Legal Advisor to the President and Solicitor General); Cllr. Augustine C. Fayiah (Chairman of AREPT); Clir. Edwin Kla Martin; and Col. Gregory O. W. Coleman (Inspector General of the Liberia National Police) are the subject of grave allegations involving the abuse of state power to suppress dissent.
Critics allege that, under the direct influence or instruction of senior civilian officials, elements of the security apparatus led by Col. Coleman and individuals acting ander his authority have engaged in intimidation, arbitrary arrests, torture, and other serious violations of fundamental rights. These allegations, taken together, suggest systemic abuse rather than isolated misconduct.
A Dangerous Trajectory for Liberia’s Democracy If left unchecked, the cumulative effect of these actions risks transforming Liberia’s hard-won post-war democracy into a system where power is maintained through intimidation rather than consent. The timing and nature of these alleged abuses have fueled widespread concern that the justice and security sectors are being manipulated to silence critical voices and target respected state personalities, particularly as the country approaches the 2029 general elections. Such a trajectory threatens not only civil liberties, but also regional stability and Liberia’s standing among democratic nations.
Call for International Action We therefore call upon the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, the United States Government, the European Union, and international human rights organizations to take urgent notice of the situation in Liberia. There is an immediate need for independent, international investigations into allegations of: extrajudicial killings, torture and cruel treatment. selective prosecution, and abuse of state power. Silence or delay will only embolden further violations.
We further urge the international community to consider targeted sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, against public officials credibly implicated in serious human rights abuses or deliberate subversion of the rule of law, pending impartial investigations. Such measures should be understood not as punishment of the Liberian people, but as protective tools to deter abuse and restore accountability. Liberia’s history has taught the world a painful lesson: when injustice is normalized and dissent is crushed, conflict soon follows. The Liberian people deserve a government that protects life, respects human dignity, and upholds the Constitution-not one perceived to rule through fear and coercion.
This matter transcends any single individual. It speaks to the state of the rule of law in Liberia, the sanctity of judicial authority, and the credibility of Liberia’s human rights commitments. Silence in the face of such treatment would amount to acquiescence. Human rights are not negotiable. Justice must not be selective. Due process is not optional. Democracy must be defended. Justice must not be suspended by speculation.
The Liberian government has faced mounting, criticism over various challenges, including, economic mismanagement and corruption, contributing to a decline in public trust. The Panoramic Justice Group focuses on promoting accountability and transparency, supporting Liberians in their quest for justice and dignity. The Panoramic Justice Group is advocating for a comprehensive investigation. The organization engaging with U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Department of State, to explore potential actions that can be taken.
Authored by: Dr. D. Garkpe Gedepoh U.S. Marine (RTD) Executive Director Panoramic Justice Group