By Our Reporter | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA – Chairperson of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), Cllr. Dempster Brown, has been suspended indefinitely without pay following allegations of forgery, administrative misconduct, and abuse of office, in a decisive move by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai that places renewed focus on accountability within Liberia’s governance institutions.
According to an official statement issued by the Office of the Presidential Press Secretary on Thursday, June 26, 2026, the suspension takes immediate effect and remains in force pending the outcome of a formal investigation ordered by the President.
The allegations against Cllr. Brown stem from complaints submitted by commissioners of the INCHR, who accused him of forging their signatures on a petition for a writ of habeas corpus filed before the Supreme Court of Liberia on November 12, 2024. The commissioners contend that the petition was submitted without their knowledge or consent and was falsely presented as an official decision of the Commission.
If proven, the allegations may constitute a violation of Liberia’s Penal Law, particularly Title 26, Section 15.70, which relates to forgery offenses.
In addition to the forgery claims, three commissioners have also accused Brown of failing to convene statutory board meetings for nearly two years, allegedly in violation of the legal framework governing the operations of the Commission.
He is further accused of arbitrarily withholding the compensation of fellow commissioners as a punitive measure linked to disagreements over administrative decisions, an action they describe as unlawful and outside his authority.
The Presidency has directed the Ministry of Justice to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations and to ensure appropriate legal action is taken should the claims be substantiated.
President Boakai has also instructed Cllr. Brown to immediately surrender all government property in his possession to the General Services Agency (GSA) as part of the administrative transition process following his suspension.
In the interim, Commissioner Cllr. Mohammed E. Fahnbulleh has been appointed to serve as Acting Chairperson of the INCHR pending further notice.
While the suspension underscores the administration’s stated commitment to accountability and rule of law, it also raises broader concerns about governance practices within independent state institutions tasked with safeguarding human rights.
The INCHR, which serves as Liberia’s principal human rights watchdog, is mandated to promote and protect human rights, ensure compliance with international obligations, and provide independent oversight of rights-related issues. Allegations of internal misconduct at its leadership level therefore carry significant implications for public trust and institutional credibility.
The Boakai administration has reiterated its commitment to strengthening public institutions and ensuring that all officials are held accountable under the laws of the Republic of Liberia.
However, the unfolding investigation is expected to attract sustained public attention in the coming weeks as the Ministry of Justice examines one of the most serious leadership controversies to confront the INCHR in recent years.
