Boakai Suspends INCHR Chairperson Over Misconduct Allegations
By: Domingo Dargbeh
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has suspended Cllr. Dempster Brown, Chairperson of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), for an indefinite period without pay, pending investigations into serious misconduct allegations.
According to a statement from the Executive Mansion, the suspension followed formal complaints from INCHR Commissioners, alleging that Cllr. Brown forged their signatures on a petition for a writ of Habeas Corpus filed before the Supreme Court of Liberia on November 12, 2024.
The complaints claim that the petition was submitted without the knowledge or consent of the affected Commissioners, who alleged that Cllr. Brown misrepresented the filing as an official decision of the Commission. If substantiated, these allegations would constitute a violation of Liberia’s Penal Law, Title 26, Section 15.70, concerning forgery.
Additionally, three Commissioners have accused Cllr. Brown of failing to convene board meetings for nearly two years, in violation of statutory requirements governing the Commission’s operations.
The complaints further alleged that he withheld the compensation of fellow Commissioners without legal authority as a punitive measure stemming from disagreements over his decisions.
In line with his commitment to accountability, transparency, and respect for the rule of law, President Boakai has instructed the Ministry of Justice to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations and to pursue all appropriate legal actions, if the claims are confirmed.
The President has also directed Cllr. Brown to immediately surrender all government assets in his possession to the General Services Agency.
In the interim, Commissioner Mohammed E. Fahnbulleh has been appointed Acting Chairperson of the INCHR until further notice.
The Boakai Administration said it remains dedicated to strengthening public institutions, upholding integrity in governance, and ensuring that all public officials are held accountable under the laws of the Republic of Liberia, according to the Executive Mansion.
