21/08/2026
LMDC, PBL Forward Two Suspects to LNP Headquarters Over Alleged Medical Malpractice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PAYNESVILLE, LIBERIA — August 21, 2026: The Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC), in collaboration with the Pharmacy Board of Liberia (PBL) and the Ministry of Justice, have forwarded a 58-year-old man, Wilson Sumo, and his 20-year-old alleged accomplice, Johnson T. Baryo, to the Headquarters of the Liberia National Police (LNP) for further investigation into an alleged case of medical malpractice.
The two men were arrested on Thursday afternoon, August 20, 2026, by the LMDC Clinical Assessment Team, with support from the Ministry of Justice through two police officers.
Their arrest follows an alleged medical malpractice incident that reportedly resulted in the death of 20-year-old Princess Dupee in the Barshell Community, Paynesville Red Light, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
According to Wilson Sumo, who claims to be a nurse aide since 2010, Princess Dupee was brought to his drugstore on Tuesday by her fiancé, Janjay Logan, and two other women.
Sumo said the group reported that Princess was experiencing fever and severe weakness.
He claimed that he initially checked her vital signs, but the equipment repeatedly displayed an error. He noted that, in an attempt to reduce her fever, he administered paracetamol and folic acid before starting an intravenous drip of Ringer's Lactate (RL) to stabilize her condition.
According to Sumo, however, Princess did not respond positively to the treatment. He alleged that the IV line repeatedly failed and that he subsequently advised her relatives to take her to a larger health facility for further medical attention.
Sumo further claimed, while Princess was being taken from the treatment room, he noticed that she was bleeding. But few minutes after their departure from his drugs store to another clinic, he later learned that she had been pronounced dead at another healthcare facility, whose identity was not disclosed.
Johnson T. Baryo, whom authorities identified as Sumo's alleged accomplice, denied administering treatment to Princess.
Baryo said he had recently come for vacation and was at his father's drugstore when the patient arrived. He explained that he was sent on an errand and, upon his return, the treatment had already been conducted by his father.
Meanwhile, on the other hands, Johnson T. Baryo was on Thursday seen upon the arrival of LMDC's clinical team checking the vita signs of another patient despite not having any medical knowledge.
For his part, the deceased's fiancé, Janjay Logan, said Princess had not complained of any health problems prior to Tuesday, August 18.
He also stated that he was unaware of any pregnancy or other medical condition involving his fiancée before she was taken to Sumo's drugstore, a facility where he said members of the community, including himself, had routinely sought treatment and medical services.
During the arrest, however, some community members accused Janjay Logan of having knowledge of circumstances surrounding Princess's death and called on him to cooperate fully with the investigation.
Some residents further alleged that Logan knows
about an attempted abortion involving Princess, which they claimed could have contributed to her deteriorating condition. These allegations have not been independently verified and remain subject to investigation.
Meanwhile, the Liberia Medical and Dental Council and the Pharmacy Board of Liberia have separately admonished members of the public experiencing serious health conditions to seek treatment at properly licensed and accredited healthcare facilities where qualified healthcare professionals are available.
The regulatory authorities also warned individuals against administering medical treatment from drugstores or pharmacies without the appropriate professional authorization.
According to the LMDC and PBL, drugstores and pharmacies are primarily intended for the dispensing and sale of prescribed medicines and related pharmaceutical services, and are not substitutes for properly equipped healthcare facilities where patients can receive diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and emergency care.
The authorities stressed that anyone found unlawfully administering medical treatment or practicing outside the scope of their professional authorization will be subject to the full extent of the law.
The LMDC, PBL, and Ministry of Justice have turned the two suspects over to the Liberia National Police for further investigation. The authorities emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and that all allegations will be subjected to due process.
The public is therefore urged to allow the competent authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and refrain from drawing conclusions before the facts are fully established.
Amanda M. Yarsiah
Public Relations Officer
Liberia Medical and Dental Council
Ministry of Health, Republic of Liberia Cyprus TV Liberia Medical and Dental Council - LMDC Partners In Health Ayun K. Cassell III Augustus Garlet Quiah World Health Organization (WHO) Ministry of Information Amb Amanda M Yarsiah Ministry of Justice - Liberia Partners
