Cestos City, River Cess County – Six detainees in River Cess County have petitioned the Circuit Court for their immediate release through a writ of habeas corpus, alleging unlawful detention and violations of their constitutional rights.
The petitioners—Arthur Davis, Titus Wrotoe, Garpue Brown, Victor Wennie, Junior Willie, and Samuel Yehgar—were arrested on February 18, 2026, by officers of the Liberia National Police in Monweh Statutory District, including Karngbo Town and nearby communities.
Court documents indicate that the arrests were conducted under the command of River Cess County Police Commander Elton Gofa. The detainees were later transferred to police headquarters in Cestos City, where they remained in custody.
In their petition filed before Resident Circuit Judge D. Onisemus Banwon, the detainees—through the Office of the Public Defender of River Cess County—argue that they were held beyond the statutory 48-hour period without being formally charged or presented before a court of competent jurisdiction. The petition describes their continued detention as “unlawful and prolonged.”
The respondents named in the legal action include the Minister of Justice, the Inspector General of Police, Commander Elton Gofa of the River Cess County Police Detachment, and Michael McGill, Commander of the Crime Services Division (CSD) in the county.
The petition further alleges that members of the Public Defender’s Office were denied access to the detainees at police headquarters by CSD Commander Michael McGill, an action the defense team claims violated the detainees’ constitutional right to legal representation.
The petitioners contend that the actions of the respondents constitute serious breaches of their constitutional and human rights. They are therefore requesting the court to issue an extraordinary writ of habeas corpus to compel their immediate release and grant any other relief deemed just and equitable.
Meanwhile, no ruling had been announced at the time of filing.
However, police authorities forwarded the six defendants to court on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, following the defense counsel’s application for the writ of habeas corpus.
The case is expected to test adherence to due process and detention procedures under Liberian law.
