By Samuel Flomo, Jr.
A leaked audio recording, has triggered public fury, and cast a dark shadow over the Liberia National Police (LNP) Bong County Detachment.
The audio was insinuated that a senior officer in Bong County was allegedly caught attempting to push a rape complainant toward a “private compromise” with the family of an accused suspect.
Critics are of the views that the alleged act by the LNP officer directly violates Liberian law and police ethics.
The audio, obtained by Gbarnga based Super Bongese Radio, allegedly features Parjibo Reagan Neewray, an officer of the LNP assigned with the Bong County Detachment.
Neewray is a special assistant to the County Police Commander, Farsu V. Sheriff.
In the recording, Officer Neewray is heard as engaging a rape complainant, and an undercover investigative journalist in discussions that suggest settling the case outside the formal justice system.
The case involves J. Christian Kargbo, Jr., a student of the Bong County Technical College (BCTC), and a female kindergarten student.
Kargbo, previously served as a radio announcer at radio kerghemahn in Ganta, Nimba County.
He is currently detained at the Gbarnga Central Prison, awaiting trial at Criminal Court ‘E.’
In the leaked conversation, the officer is allegedly heard as encouraging dialogue between the survivor, and the accused’s family, repeatedly implying that negotiation could end the matter.
This alleged conduct has shocked the public, because rape is not a negotiable crime under the law.
“The Penal Law is clear: rape especially involving a child, is a serious criminal offense punishable by life imprisonment, and cannot be compromised under any circumstances,” a source credited with information on rape has said.
Legal observers say any officer promoting settlement in such a case, is not only unethical, but is actively sabotaging justice.
Even more disturbing, the audio suggests that the accused’s family was willing to provide support beyond the survivor’s medical care, but critics say that discussion amounted to inducement and coercion.
The recording also captures the complainant’s fear, and confusion as she questions why is she being pressured to make decisions, she does not fully understand, exposing the emotional vulnerability of survivors when confronted by authority figures.
The controversy deepened after Officer Neewray was heard acknowledging that he lives in the same community as the accused, raising serious concerns about conflict of interest.
When contacted, Neewray denied any wrongdoing.
Neewray: “I don’t know the guy, but we live in the same community. The woman came on Sunday, and said someone played with her daughter. So, I arrested the accused, and brought him to the Women and Children Section. That’s all. I am not part of the case.”
Neewry’s denial, however, has done little to calm public anger.
Civil society groups, women’s rights activists, and legal practitioners, have demanded his immediate suspension and an independent investigation.
They argued that such behavior discourages survivors from reporting sexual violence, and reinforces a culture of impunity within law enforcement.
Source: Journalist Nukana Kollie contributed to this story.