Kailondo & Associates: Liberia AFL Sergeants Reinstatement Demand

• Lawyers from Kailondo & Associates are demanding the reinstatement of two AFL sergeants, Abu S.B. Sheriff and Robert Menyon.
• The sergeants were dismissed on October 21, 2026, following a viral video allegedly showing one assaulting a woman.
• The legal firm argues the dismissal was unlawful due to a lack of formal investigation, hearing, or opportunity to respond.
• Constitutional Articles 20(a) and 21(h), alongside sections of the National Defense Act of 2008, are cited as violated.
• The lawyers warn against "social media justice" and advocate for a formal, impartial investigation if disciplinary action is pursued.

This demand highlights critical questions about the balance between military discipline and the constitutional and statutory protections afforded to service members in Liberia.

Lawyers representing two sergeants from the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) are advocating for their immediate return to service, contending that their recent dismissal violated fundamental rights and established disciplinary protocols. The law firm Kailondo & Associates, acting on behalf of Sergeants Abu S.B. Sheriff and Robert Menyon, formally communicated this demand in a letter dated October 27, 2026, addressed to Acting Minister of National Defense Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh. The firm asserts that the sergeants' discharge on October 21 was unlawful, as it allegedly occurred without a formal investigation, a hearing, or any opportunity for the individuals to address the accusations against them.

The dismissal of the two AFL sergeants followed the widespread circulation of a video on social media, which purportedly showed one of them involved in an altercation with a young woman. According to the woman, identified as Blessing, the incident began when soldiers pursued a group of boys, including her younger brother, who had been playing football. She intervened to protect her brother, at which point Sergeant Sheriff allegedly assaulted her while she was holding her infant. Blessing also stated that Sergeant Menyon attempted to de-escalate the situation, though without success.

Despite the alleged assault, Blessing later indicated that the soldiers apologized, and she forgave them. While she expressed a desire for some form of punishment for their actions, she explicitly stated that she did not wish for them to lose their military careers. This perspective adds a layer of complexity to the military's decision, placing its handling of the incident under intense scrutiny regarding the balance between maintaining discipline and upholding the rights of its personnel.

Kailondo & Associates has built its case on several alleged constitutional and statutory infringements, arguing that the AFL sergeants' due process violation Liberia is clear. The legal team highlights that both Sergeants Abu S.B. Sheriff and Robert Menyon had dedicated over 18 years to the Liberian military, maintaining unblemished service records prior to their abrupt dismissal. Their legal challenge specifically cites Article 20(a) of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution, which guarantees that no individual shall be deprived of their rights or privileges without due process of law. The firm argues that the absence of a formal investigation or hearing directly contravenes this fundamental protection.

Furthermore, the lawyers invoked Article 21(h) of the Liberian Constitution, which enshrines the principle of presumed innocence until guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt. They contend that the military's public action against the sergeants effectively imposed punishment before any formal determination of their alleged misconduct, thereby violating this crucial legal safeguard. The legal firm firmly maintains that a social media video, regardless of its virality, cannot serve as a substitute for a proper investigation or a formal disciplinary hearing within the military justice system Liberia.

The complaint also references specific provisions within the National Defense Act of 2008 Liberia. Sections 7.7 and 7.13 of the Act outline grounds for discharging military personnel, yet the lawyers assert that any disciplinary action must strictly adhere to applicable AFL regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Additionally, Section 8.4, which extends legal protections and safeguards to AFL personnel comparable to those enjoyed by other Liberian citizens, was cited to underscore the expectation of fair treatment. The firm, Kailondo & Associates Liberia, explicitly rejects any justification for bypassing these established procedures under the guise of preserving discipline or the good of the service.

The legal counsel for Sergeants Sheriff and Menyon issued a strong caution against what they termed "social media justice," emphasizing that the integrity of the military justice system Liberia should not be compromised by public opinion. They argued that allowing dismissals based solely on viral videos, without the necessary procedural safeguards, could establish a dangerous precedent, exposing other military personnel to arbitrary punishment. This case therefore places the Armed Forces of Liberia's approach to discipline and accountability under significant scrutiny, particularly concerning its adherence to constitutional and statutory protections for its members.

To address the situation appropriately, the lawyers have requested that if the authorities still intend to pursue disciplinary action, a formal, confidential, and impartial investigation into the incident be conducted. This demand highlights critical questions about the balance between military discipline and the constitutional and statutory protections afforded to service members in Liberia. The outcome of this challenge could significantly influence how the AFL manages future disciplinary matters, reinforcing the need for rigorous adherence to due process, especially regarding the Liberia AFL sergeants reinstatement demand.

Lawyers advising military personnel or government agencies in Liberia should note this case as a strong precedent for challenging dismissals that bypass established due process, even in the face of public pressure or viral evidence. It underscores the critical importance of adhering to formal investigations and hearings as mandated by the Liberian Constitution and the National Defense Act of 2008 to prevent arbitrary punishment and ensure legal safeguards for employees.

Source: Original reporting via Liberian news