The alleged rape suspects informed the court that they had languished behind bar for years now because of no money to hire lawyers.
 
"We have been in jail for four to five years and nobody has come to our aid. This is our first time entering in court. We are suffering in prison and need to be hear your honor," the court record quoted the inmates.
 
Section 18:2 of the Criminal procedure law states: “Anyone that is accused of an indictable offense must be indicted and tried within two terms of court.”
 
But Section 18.1 of the Criminal Procedure Law gives the state the right to drop cases against any persons that is indicted as result of sufficient evidence.
 
Judge Cianeh Clinton-Johnson was moved by the suspects’ concern and order the clerk to communicate with the Office of the Public Defenders in order provide legal service for the defendants in keeping with law.
 
The Liberian government has admitted indicting over 150 people in pretrial detainees but has done nothing to release or try them, which clearly violate their right under our law.