Margibi County Senator has blasted leadership of the Liberia National Police (LNP) action to have arrested leaders of the December 17th citizens “peaceful assembly.”
Though sanctioned, Nathaniel McGill’s blistering criticism comes as the LNP formally charged and forwarded to court Mulbah Morlu and Reverend Festus Logan on a long list of serious offenses.
Some of the offenses include criminal solicitation, criminal conspiracy, rioting, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct, and obstruction of public highways and public passages.
McGill described the LNP decision as ‘foolish and irresponsible.’
Police records indicate that the actions of the accused escalated into acts of simple assault, criminal mischief, robbery, and theft of property, constituting clear violations of Chapter 10, Sections 10.3 and 10.4, and Chapter 17, Sections 17.3 and 17.7 of the Revised Penal Law of Liberia.
Morlu’s a charges stem from his role in the December 17, 2025 protest organized by the “Solidarity Trust of a New Day (STAND),” a demonstration that law enforcement authorities say quickly degenerated into lawlessness, public disorder, and criminal violence.
McGill told reporters on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, January 13, that the LNP used state power to silence dissenting voices, insisting that the charges are “politically motivated.” He further disclosed plans to submit a formal communication to the plenary of the Senate, seeking legislative intervention in the matter.
As the case unfolds, it has ignited a broader national debate not only over the criminal liability of the protest organizers, but also over allegations of political interference and the dangerous rhetoric threatening to undermine law enforcement at a time when public order remains fragile.
Source: Michael N Baryor/ Insights Liberia