A total of 117 inmates have been released from the Monrovia Central Prison after spending six to nine years in pretrial detention without being formally indicted.

Judge Roosevelt Willie of Criminal Court ‘A’ ordered their release, citing the government’s failure to indict the detainees as required by law.

The charges against the inmates ranged from murder and armed robbery to arson and conspiracy — all considered first- and second-degree felonies in Liberia.

The motion for dismissal was filed by public defender Cllr. Sennay Carlor II and supported by Cllr. Aloysius Toe. They based their request on Article 21 (f and h) of the 1986 Constitution and Section 18.2 of the Criminal Procedure Law.

Judge Willie ruled in favor of the motion, declaring the detainees’ prolonged imprisonment without indictment unlawful.