MONROVIA – The Liberia National Police has cited Mr. Mo Ali, the National Secretary General of the former ruling Unity Party for questioning over a Facebook post which they think could be linked to the recent arson attacks on the home of Justice Joseph Nagbe and the headquarters of the National Elections Commission (NEC).
Mr. Ali’s March 1 post was vague but there is a general perception that he was referring to the delay in the certification of Lofa County Senator-elect, Brownie Samukai due to series of litigation. The opposition community has expressed belief that the delay in the certification is a maneuvering of the ruling establishment to ensure that Samukai is never inaugurated as Senator of Lofa County.
Mr. Ali posted, ““Dear National Elections Commission (NEC), we understand the ploy. But try it and you will see what is gonna be the end result”.
The police expressed in their invitation to Mr. Ali that consequent to his post, “we have noticed incidents of petrol bombs thrown at the residence of associate Justice, Joseph Nagbe and the headquarters of NEC respectively, leaving properties damaged.”
The Police added, “In view of the herein, couple with the task assigned thereon to us to protect life and property, it is prudent sir, that we have a conversation with you regarding the motive and intend of your post. God bless our native land as we together endeavors to protect the peace. Schedule date for your appearance is Friday, March 19 2021 @ 10:00 AM”.
Mr. Ali told FrontPageAfrica on Thursday that he would honor the police invitation but would be going along with his lawyer.
On Wednesday, Lofa County District 1, Francis Nyumalin, informed FrontPageAfrica that he had been invited by the National Security Agency (NSA) for investigation relating to an interview he granted OK FM, a local FM station in Monrovia, in which he announced that there would be negotiations for an interim government if the attempt to prevent Mr. Samukai from taking his seat in the Senate succeeds.
“There are plans to determine that the Lofa County seat cannot be occupied by Brownie Samukai – meaning that the decision of the Lofa people will be nullified,” he said during the interview.
He added, “Let me say this with no regrets, I owe apology to nobody that an attempt to determine the Lofa County seat should be declared vacant, all other seats from the presidency, vice presidency, to all other elected seats would be declared vacant.”
Meanwhile, the Liberian Senate, the Liberia National Bar Association and civil society organizations have condemned the arson attacks and have called for an investigation.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the Senate described the attacks as “an attack on our democracy”, noting that it was “barbaric, evil, undemocratic, cowardly and unpatriotic attempts to intimidate the National Elections Commission and the Judiciary Branch of government to fairly dispose of cases originating and/or associated with the December 8, 2020 Senatorial Elections.”