Monrovia City Court: Dempster Brown Forgery Writ Issued for INCHR Chair

• Cllr. Dempster Brown, suspended INCHR Chairperson, was arrested on a forgery writ issued by the Monrovia City Court.
• The complaint, filed by INCHR Acting Chairperson Cllr. Mohammed Fahnbulleh, alleges Brown forged commissioners' signatures on a habeas corpus petition in 2025.
• Brown vehemently denied the forgery allegation, calling it "stupidity and nonsense" and questioning the notion of his arrest.
• The writ commanded Brown's appearance to answer the forgery charges, which have not yet been proven in court.
• This legal action is the latest development in an ongoing dispute within the Independent National Commission on Human Rights.

The issuance of the Dempster Brown forgery writ in Monrovia underscores the serious legal ramifications faced by public officials in Liberia when confronted with such allegations.

The Monrovia City Court recently issued a writ of arrest for Cllr. Dempster Brown, the suspended Chairperson of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), in connection with a serious forgery allegation. The legal action, initiated on Wednesday, October 7, stems from a complaint filed by the INCHR itself, represented by its Acting Chairperson, Cllr. Mohammed Fahnbulleh. Stipendiary Magistrate Bren Barco authorized the writ, commanding Brown's appearance before the court to address the charges.

Upon being escorted by a court officer to the Temple of Justice, Cllr. Brown vehemently rejected the accusations, dismissing the complaint as "stupidity and nonsense." He maintained his innocence, asserting that he had not been convicted of any crime. This development marks a significant turn in the ongoing internal disputes within the INCHR, bringing a high-profile public official under judicial scrutiny for alleged misconduct.

The core of the complaint against Cllr. Dempster Brown centers on allegations that he knowingly and intentionally forged signatures of fellow commissioners. According to the writ, these alleged forgeries occurred on a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, which was subsequently filed before Criminal Court "A." The INCHR, acting as the private prosecutor on behalf of the Republic of Liberia, contends that Brown executed these actions without the necessary consent or authorization from the commissioners whose signatures were purportedly falsified.

Notably, the writ specifies that these alleged acts of forgery took place while Brown was serving as the chairperson of the Commission in the year 2025. This detail, as reported, indicates a future date for the alleged past offense, a point that will likely be clarified as the legal proceedings unfold. The Monrovia City Court's writ explicitly ordered the arrest of Brown's "living body" to ensure his immediate appearance to answer these grave charges.

During his escort to the courtroom, Cllr. Dempster Brown vociferously denied the claims, challenging the very notion of his arrest. When questioned by judicial reporters about being accompanied by a court officer, Brown retorted, "How you talk about arrest? It is me, Cllr. Dempster Brown, they will arrest?" He further dismissed Cllr. Fahnbulleh's actions as "stupidity" and vowed to "teach him sense." Brown also made an unverified criminal accusation against Fahnbulleh, which was not independently corroborated by the original reporting source.

He also pushed back against suggestions that an investigation had already found him culpable. "What guilty are you talking about? Did I ever go to court?" he questioned, underscoring his position that the allegations remain unproven and that due process has yet to run its course. His defiant stance highlights the contentious nature of the charges and the deep divisions within the human rights commission.

The issuance of the Dempster Brown forgery writ in Monrovia underscores the serious legal ramifications faced by public officials in Liberia when confronted with such allegations. While the Monrovia City Court has initiated proceedings by issuing the writ of arrest and bringing Brown before it, the forgery charges themselves have not yet been proven in court. Cllr. Brown continues to maintain his innocence, and the ultimate determination of the forgery allegation remains subject to the judicial process.

This case, involving a high-ranking INCHR chairperson forgery allegation, highlights the procedural steps involved in addressing complaints against public figures, particularly concerning the integrity of official documents like habeas corpus petitions. The legal system is now tasked with evaluating the evidence and arguments presented, ensuring that justice is served in a matter that has drawn considerable attention to the conduct of Liberia public official forgery cases.

This case highlights the serious legal ramifications for public officials accused of forgery in Liberia, particularly concerning official documents like habeas corpus petitions. Lawyers should note the procedural steps following a writ of arrest and advise clients on the importance of proper authorization for legal filings to mitigate such risks.

Source: Original reporting via New Dawn.