A high-ranking Liberian official, Peter Bonn Jallah, has been charged and remanded to the Monrovia Central Prison in connection with allegations of gang rape, statutory rape, and kidnapping of a 16-year-old boy. Jallah, a suspended Special Assistant to the Director of Liberia’s National Security Agency (NSA), was formally charged by the Liberia National Police (LNP) and forwarded to the Monrovia City Court on January 12.
According to a police charge sheet, Jallah allegedly sexually abused the minor on multiple occasions between November 29, 2025, and January 3, 2026. The charges include gang rape, statutory rape, and kidnapping under Liberia’s Penal Law. Two additional adult male suspects remain at large.
The victim, a community-based soccer player, was found critically ill and disoriented near a beach in Sinkor on January 3 and is currently under medical care at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital. Investigators allege that Jallah lured the teenager with promises of football boots, exploiting his passion for football and their prior interactions.
Medical examinations revealed bruising and abnormal discharge consistent with sexual assault, while phone analysis placed Jallah near the alleged crime scenes. Witnesses reported seeing the victim frequently entering Jallah’s compound, and others stated they rescued the boy naked and helpless on the night of January 3.
Jallah’s arrest on January 7 and subsequent detention sparked a public outcry, with civil society organizations and human rights advocates demanding transparency, swift action against remaining suspects, and accountability within the security sector. The National Security Agency has suspended Jallah pending the outcome of the case.
The incident has raised concerns about abuse of power, institutional silence, and the vulnerability of children in communities where authority figures operate with limited oversight. As the case unfolds, it is seen as a test of Liberia’s commitment to justice, child protection, and security-sector accountability. The outcome may determine not only Jallah’s fate but also the credibility of Liberia’s rule of law.
The Liberia National Police has assured the public that it remains committed to pursuing justice, with Police Inspector General Col. Gregory O.W. Coleman stating that all individuals connected to the alleged crimes will be identified, investigated, and prosecuted in accordance with the law. The case is being closely watched, and the nation awaits the next steps in the judicial process.
