The Liberia National Police has formally charged ten individuals in connection with the mob assault and public humiliation of a young woman at the Red Light commercial district in Paynesville.
In a statement issued Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the police strongly condemned the incident, describing the actions seen in widely circulated videos as “unlawful, degrading, inhumane, and entirely inconsistent with the principles of public order, human dignity, and the rule of law.”
According to the LNP, preliminary investigations, witness testimonies, video evidence, and statements from key witnesses, including Telewoyan Flomo and Augustine T. Musa, led to the charging of the following suspects.
Those charged include Shelton Dolo, Emmanuel Flomo, Abel C. Dandy, Ernest Koiyan, Lincoln Sungbeh, Prince Saykay, Daddy Stephen, Emmanuel Dee, Joe Roberts, and Eric Gbokolo.
Furthermore, the accused have been charged with multiple crimes, including harassment, sexual assault, disorderly conduct, simple assault, felonious restraint, recklessly endangering another person, and offensive touching under various sections of Liberia’s Revised Penal Code.
Police authorities confirmed that the defendants have been forwarded to court for prosecution, while investigations continue to identify and charge additional suspects, including individuals who may be prosecuted in absentia.
The LNP warned that acts of mob violence, forced public stripping, and gender-based humiliation not only violate the rights of victims but also damage Liberia’s international image and undermine efforts to promote tourism, economic growth, investment, and national stability.
“Scenes of public brutality and lawlessness circulating globally create harmful perceptions of insecurity and institutional weakness,” the police statement noted.
At the same time, the police urged citizens to remain peaceful and allow the judicial process to proceed fairly, emphasizing that all accused persons are entitled to due process and are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The LNP also called on community leaders, youth groups, civil society organizations, religious institutions, and market associations to reject mob justice and all forms of gender-based violence.
Inspector General Gregory O. W. Coleman reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to professional, impartial, and rights-based law enforcement aimed at protecting life, property, public order, and human dignity across Liberia.
