By Watson Richards
MONROVIA, Liberia — The Liberia National Police (LNP) has rejected Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung’s request for the release of Jerry Nyantee Wrato, saying the investigation into allegations against him has been completed and the case will now proceed to court.
Vice President Koung had publicly called for Wrato’s immediate release after learning of his arrest in connection with allegedly AI-generated images and videos involving the Vice President.
Koung said he contacted Inspector General of Police Col. Gregory O. W. Coleman, who confirmed that the arrest was made under Liberia’s Cybercrime Law.
“I have made it clear that I have no desire to press charges against this young man, or anyone else, merely for creating or sharing such content about me. I have therefore requested his immediate release,” Koung said.
However, in a response to the Vice President, IG Coleman said the police could not discontinue the matter solely because of the wishes of the person allegedly targeted.
“Once conduct potentially constituting a criminal offense comes to the attention of law enforcement, the matter is no longer determined solely by the personal wishes of the individual affected,” Coleman stated.
The LNP said its investigation has concluded and investigators have resolved to charge Wrato with four alleged offenses: Misuse of Devices, Cyberstalking, Distribution of Data Messages That Incite Damage to Property or Violence, and Distribution of Harmful Data Messages. The police cited Sections 10.1, 15.1, 18.1 and 19.1 of the Cybercrime Act of 2025.
Coleman said the evidence gathered and the nature of the alleged conduct require the matter to be submitted to the judiciary for determination.
He, however, emphasized that the police decision to charge Wrato does not constitute a finding of guilt, stressing that the suspect remains entitled to the presumption of innocence and all constitutional and statutory protections until the case is adjudicated.
Wrato is expected to be forwarded to a court of competent jurisdiction for further proceedings.
The development comes as Liberia’s newly enacted Cybercrime Act faces one of its first major public tests involving AI-generated digital content and a senior government official.
