Cllr. Cephus Replies INHRC’s Dempster Brown -Says Statement “Brazenly Groundless and Totally Disgraceful”

In the wake of a press statement emanating from Cllr T. Dempster Brown, Chairman of the Independent National Human Rights Commission(INHRC) linking prominent Liberians to ritualistic killings, the Office of the Solicitor-General and Chief Prosecutor of the Republic of Liberia, Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus, has described as brazenly groundless and totally disgraceful a press statement attributed to the Chairman of the Independent Human Rights Commission (INCHR), Cllr. T. Dempster Browne, accusing the Solicitor-General and other prominent Liberian citizens of ritualistic killings.

A Statement personally signed and issued by the Chief Prosecutor of Government said Cllr. Brown alleged that several women and children have been missing between the period of July and September this year, and therefore called an independent investigation of claims of the involvement of some personalities in ritualistic activities in the country.

“Madam Cockrum said with Diah as a point of contact, the accused officials have been using the hands of virgin girls for rituals that will ensure that they are appointed to strategic offices in Government”, the INCHR boss added.

Cllr. Cephus, replying to the allegation according to his press statement said Cllr. Brown’s allegations are based on a rather fanciful, laughable and preposterously unfounded allegation, which is the figment of the imagination of Ellen Cockrum, a disgraced and indicted criminal. Always scrambling for national attention on the integrity and credibility of others, Ellen Cockrum, admittedly angered by an alleged seizure of her mother’s truck has resorted to spewing out wild allegations and tantrums against individuals she believes to be responsible including the Solicitor-General, Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus, the Head of the Economic Crimes Services Division at the Ministry of Justice, Bobby Livingstone,  the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Honorable Nathaniel F. McGill, and His Excellency President George Manneh Weah.

In a leaked audio, Madam Cockrum is heard saying she has been informed by Mr. Ofori Diah that he (Diah) is the middleman for the Solicitor-General, the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and President George M. Weah in killing virgin girls for ritualistic purposes, and was therefore seeking similar assistance to avoid answering to her crimes committed in the United States.

But Cephus’ press statement issued yesterday says although Mr. Diah has publicly denied ever making such reckless and irresponsible allegations, yet, Cllr. Brown has taken such hearsay statements as part of his official human rights report against the Solicitor-General, other prominent Liberian citizens and the Government of Liberia.

The release from Cllr. Cephus further described as utterly shameful and totally unacceptable that Cllr. Brown of all persons who should know better and should perform above reproach as  a senior lawyer of the Supreme Court Bar, has taken to the airwaves, and  is using  nothing but  mere  “hear say” allegations especially of a condemned and depraved criminal to tarnish the image of the Solicitor-General and thereby demonize the Government of Liberia.

“The office  of the Solicitor General says it is taken aback not just by the desperation of Cllr. Brown to join Ellen Cockrum  and others in creating  a false climate of fear, blatant lies and misinformation  about the  government,  and other prominent Liberians, but by the fact that a senior lawyer of his stature and standing,  who should be a good example of a responsible  and credible lawyer and should address issues based on evidence,   has strangely  allowed himself to be drafted into the politics of recrimination  against the government of Liberia“, the statement said.

The release  reminded Chairman Brown to beware of the  responsible role  the commission has to play  in building and protecting democracy and the rule of law, and called on the Chairman to behave responsibly so as not to bring the integrity of the Commission into disrepute.

The release however. described as utterly shameful and totally unacceptable that Cllr. Brown, of all persons who should perform beyond reproach as  a senior lawyer of the Supreme Court Bar, has  chosen to give credence to such wild and sweeping allegations that are not supported by any factual evidence.

“The Office of the Solicitor-General categorically rejects as totally baseless and unfounded the allegations by Cllr. Brown and his benefactors and called on Cllr. Brown as head of a responsible institution to be responsible enough by providing evidence of the disappearances of people to the Ministry of Justice for immediate investigation and subsequent prosecution”, the statement furthered..

The release described Ellen Cockrum’s and Cllr. Browne’s campaign as the “work of the devil” and stressed that neither Ellen Cockrum nor Commissioner Brown has provided any proof to warrant even the most basic consideration of the crazy allegations made against the Solicitor-General and other distinguished Liberians including His Excellency President George Manneh Weah.

The release concluded by calling on Cllr. Brown to re-examine the role of the Commission and how important it is in building and protecting democracy and the rule of law, and called him to desist from making unnecessary and irresponsible statements for publicity purposes at the detriment of the reputations of other Liberians.

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