Monrovia – The Liberian National Police have arrested six persons in connection with an early morning violence Thursday, which led to the disruption of traffic on the Tubman Boulevard and other adjacent thoroughfares.
In a statement moments ago, the LNP strongly condemned such acts and assures the general public that those involved will be made to face the full weight of the law. “Some agitators, claiming to belong to the self-style Council of Patriots, took to the streets in the early hours of June 25, 2020, causing damage to properties and harassing commuters with motives to cause chaos. The Liberia National Police has vowed to arrest other perpetrators of this senseless violence and forward them to court.”
We want to urge all those linked to peacefully submit themselves to the police, they know themselves. We will not tolerate any acts of lawlessness and violence; we have a democratic dispensation through which all can exercise thier rights, but not through violence.”
Liberia National Police(LNP)
The LNP says it will hold a major news conerence Friday, to provide more details on the violent action, while giving a road map of its next course of activities.
The arrest of the six comes just moments after the security apparatus called in the Chief Executive Officer for Orange Liberia, Mr. Mamadou Coulibaly in for questioning in connection with the early morning violence.
Mr. Lenn Eugene Nagbe, Minister of Information Minister confirming Coulibaly’s questioning Thursday said: “I can confirm the the CEO of Orange, Mamadou Coulibaly has been invited along with his lawyer by the security apparatus to assist in the the investigation,” Minister Nagbe said. “He is currently being questioned. Other arrests are being made. The Ministry of Justice will issue an announcement subsequently in regards to that. We want to urge all those linked to peacefully submit themselves to the police, they know themselves. We will not tolerate any acts of lawlessness and violence; we have a democratic dispensation through which all can exercise thier rights, but not through violence.”
Earlier, the government sternly warned that it will not tolerate acts of violence and lawlessness on the part of any group of people that seek to disrupt the country’s hard earned peace.
Justice Minister Frank Musah Dean, Jr. has been ordered to ensure that ALL perpetrators and their masterminds are arrested in order to face the full weight of the law. “The government recognizes that Free expression and freedom to engage in political activities are guaranteed under the law, but violence will not be tolerated. Those orchestrating and engaging in such acts will meet the full force of the country’s justice system,” the government said Thursday.
Thursday’s incident comes just days after the Supreme Court Associate Justice Jamesetta Howard Wolokollie declined to grant Orange Liberia a Writ of Prohibition on the surcharge on voice call and mobile data bundle.
That decision was followed by the suspension of the head of the regulatory authority, the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, Mr. Ivan Brown.
Mr. Brown is being suspended for what was term, “conspiratorial and unethical activities as chairman of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority.”
“The Suspended LTA Chairman is advised to turn over all properties of the Authority in his possession. The suspension announced on Friday, June 5, 2020 is without pay,” the Executive Mansion statement said.
Meanwhile, the LNP says it will hold a major news conference Friday to provide more details on the violent action while giving a roadmap of its next course of activities.