Cllr. Gongloe Calls for alleged rapist Deputy Minister McGill Prosecution.
Monrovia, Liberia – Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe, has called on President Joseph N. Boakai to swiftly arrest, prosecute, and fire Deputy Youth and Sports Minister for Youth Development J. Bryant McGill for allegedly sexually abusing a minor. He said, selective justice undermines the government rule of law component of the “R” in the ARREST agenda.
Deputy Youth and Sports Minister for Youth Development J. Bryant McGill
Speaking in Monrovia on Monday, September 15, 2025, Cllr. Gongloe stated that Minister McGill needs to be taken into custody and handled like any other suspect since, according to Liberian law, statutory rape is just as terrible as murder. He emphasized the Deputy Minister’s role in youth development and the gravity of the crime, expressing shock and disgust over the alleged situation.
The political leader of the Liberia People’s Party (LPP) also highlighted the accuse exceptional treatment, which according to him, undermines the rule of law and the equal protection under the law. “I recalled an instance when a well-known suspect was detained and given similar legal treatment while I was the Solicitor General. There shouldn’t be an exception like in J. Bryant McGill’s case,” he said.
Cllr. Gongloe narrated that if the accuse (Minister McGill) is not held accountable for his action, it has the potential negative impact on investor and tourism.
Though the Minister of Youth and Sports issued a statement, Clllr. Gongloe told reporters that the government is acting improperly and that the accused minister deserved to have been charged and indicted by now.
The LPP’s political leader also discussed the value of time in court cases and the necessity of prompt response to preserve public confidence. The justice ministry has also been challenged by Cllr. Gongloe to guarantee that the criminal justice system operates credibly and that no one is above the law. In order to show that the law is applied equally, he suggested that the deputy minister be taken into custody right away.
Officials revealed on Thursday that J. Bryant McGill, the Deputy Youth and Sports Minister for Youth Development, took a “leave of absence” following allegations of sexually assaulting a teenager and embezzling money meant for a youth program for drug-dependent youth.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports said McGill requested leave “to avoid any perception of interference” with the investigation. His request has been forwarded to President Joseph Boakai’s office, the ministry noted. The ministry pledged full cooperation with police and urged the public and media to allow the process to proceed without interference.
Reported by: Prince Saah
