Monrovia, Liberia– A distressing incident has emerged involving the alleged harsh actions of the Liberia National Police under the directive of the Head Magistrate of the Clay Ashland Magisterial Court, Cllr. Augustine S. Togbah.
The decision reportedly led to the death of Sheriff Andrew Hills, sparking outrage and demands for justice from his family.
Abenego Hills, the son of the deceased sheriff, who detailed his father’s ordeal said Sheriff Hills had been battling an illness exacerbated by a severe wound, which required medical treatment between May 28 and 29. Despite this, on May 30, upon returning from a clinic and before informing the court of his condition, Magistrate Togbah allegedly ordered his Associate Magistrate, Benetta Y. Gedeo, to have Sheriff Hills jailed at Zone #6 Police Cell. The reason given was Sheriff Hills’ failure to report to work and an accusation that he had taken money to execute a court function but had not done so.
Abenego Hills recounted his plea to Magistrate Togbah, explaining his father’s health situation and need for further treatment. However, he stated that Magistrate Togbah remained unmoved by the sheriff’s condition, insisting on the arrest due to his absence from work and the alleged unaccounted LD$800.
“My father and I were returning from the clinic when he was arrested. Despite informing Magistrate Togbah and Judge Benetta Y. Gedeo about my father’s condition, they refused to release him,” Abenego Hills lamented.
The family made efforts on Friday and Saturday to secure Sheriff Hills’ release from the police cell, but their attempts were unsuccessful. Early Sunday morning, they received a call from police authorities at Zone 6 Depot, informing them that Sheriff Hills had died and his body was at JFK Hospital.
“Our family was shocked and devastated. We wanted to know what caused our father’s death and why he was taken to the hospital without our knowledge,” Abenego said. The family expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s handling of the situation and demanded a thorough investigation into the events leading up to Sheriff Hills’ death.
The family also questioned why the police took Sheriff Hills to the hospital without informing them, noting that they were familiar with his medical history and the necessary treatments.
In response to the allegations, The Communication Office through it’s officer stated that the office was unaware of the incident. “My boss, Cllr. Dyrl Ambrose Nmah, has not received any information regarding this matter and cannot comment at this time,” Mulbah said.
Efforts to reach Liberia National Police Spokesperson Cecelia G. Clarke were unsuccessful as she did not respond to calls or text messages.
Magistrate Augustine S. Togbah, when contacted, denied the allegations, shifting blame to Associate Magistrate Benetta Y. Gedeo. He claimed that it was Gedeo who had an issue with Sheriff Hills and had ordered the arrest. According to Togbah, the sheriff had been given LD$800 for transport to issue a court citation but allegedly used the money for personal purposes.
Magistrate Togbah explained that when Sheriff Hills appeared at the court on May 29, he did not appear ill and was accompanied by a young man who was not introduced as his son. Togbah stated that he initially decided to send Sheriff Hills to Monrovia Central Prison, but Gedeo suggested sending him to Zone 6 Depot, a decision Togbah agreed to.
Togbah claimed that on June 2, while preparing for church, he was informed by Zone 6 authorities that they were taking Sheriff Hills to the hospital. He did not address why the family was not informed at that time.
Magistrate Togbah suggested that the family should obtain the death certificate and communicate with the court for further procedures. He accused the family of trying to frame the situation to implicate him unfairly.
The Hills family, distressed and demanding justice, continues to seek answers regarding the circumstances of Sheriff Andrew Hills’ death, alleging that harsh treatment and neglect by the court contributed to their father’s untimely demise. They are calling for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible.
By: Willie N. Tokpah/ Contributing Writer
