Capitol Hill, Monrovia Liberia— Liberia’s criminal justice system faces renewed scrutiny after Justice Minister-designate Cllr. Betty M. Lamin-Blamo disclosed that 2,848 of the country’s 4,125 prison inmates were awaiting trial as of September 2026, pledging a nationwide review of pretrial detainees’ cases if confirmed by the Senate.
She disclosed during her confirmation hearing on Monday, October 26, highlighting the scale of pretrial detention in Liberia and raising concerns about delays in criminal proceedings, prison overcrowding, access to legal representation and the rights of accused persons.
“The State will either prosecute or release in accordance with law,” Lamin-Blamo told the Senate Judiciary Committee, outlining her proposed approach to addressing the backlog of cases involving detainees who have yet to stand trial.
According to the nominee, Monrovia Central Prison accounted for a substantial proportion of the country’s pretrial detainees. Of the 1,888 inmates held at the facility, 1,312 were awaiting trial, representing approximately 69.5 percent of its inmate population.
Cllr. Lamin-Blamo disclosed that the Ministry of Justice had begun reviewing the case files of pretrial detainees at the central prison. If confirmed, she intends to extend the exercise to correctional facilities nationwide.
The proposed review would assess individual cases to determine whether sufficient legal grounds exist for prosecution or whether continued detention is justified under the law.
The nominee identified prolonged pretrial detention as a major challenge facing Liberia’s criminal justice system, particularly for indigent defendants who cannot afford private legal representation or meet bail requirements.
She pledged to collaborate with the Judiciary, public defenders, the Liberia National Bar Association and legal aid providers to improve access to legal representation and address delays that leave accused persons in detention for extended periods.
Cllr. Lamin-Blamo also vowed to ensure that prosecutorial decisions are based on evidence and the law rather than political affiliation, wealth, county of origin or social status.
She assured lawmakers that the Ministry of Justice under her leadership would neither target political opponents through prosecution nor shield allies from accountability.
“A case will be brought because the evidence supports it, and for no other reason,” she declared.
The nominee added that her office would not pursue cases unsupported by sufficient evidence, regardless of public pressure or the political standing of those involved. She also pledged to recuse herself from matters involving conflicts of interest, assuring lawmakers that her decisions would be guided by Liberia’s Constitution and applicable laws.