Monrovia — The opposition Unity Party (UP) says the decision by the Liberia National Police (LNP) declaring its secretary general Mo Ali “wanted” over a Facebook post is an attempt to intimidate dissenting voices in the country.
Ali was represented by lawyers on March 19 following an invitation from the police over a Facebook post on March 1 in which he warned the National Elections Commission (NEC) over what is viewed as the delay in the certification of Lofa County senator-elect, Brownie Samukai.
“Dear National Elections Commission, we understand the ploy. But try it and you will see what is gonna be the end result,” Ali posted.
Prior to Ali post, there have been incidents of petrol bombs thrown at the residence of Associate Justice Joseph Nagbe and the headquarters of the (NEC) for which the police said they are inviting Ali to clarify the “motive and intent” of his post.
And Moses Cater, spokesperson of the LNP, said the decision to declare Ali “wanted” is the result of his refusal to show up despite being invited twice by the police.
But Unity Party, in a release on Saturday March 20, termed Carter’s assertion as a ‘lie’ and clarified that Ali was only invited by the police once via a text message, adding that the government cannot declare Ali “wanted” for failure to submit to their invitation when in fact he was represented by his lawyers.
The actions by the government to declare Ali “wanted” without being charged with any crime is a violation of his rights and endangers him and his family, according to the party.
“A “Wanted Person” also known as a “Fugitive from Justice” is a person that is either convicted or accused of a crime and is hiding from law enforcement in order to avoid arrest,” the party said.
Continuing, the party added: “Has Mr. Ali been convicted or accused of a crime? No, he was invited to provide the motive and intent of a Facebook post.”
“Is he hiding from law enforcement in order to avoid arrest? No, there was never a Writ of Arrest out for Mr. Ali and he was represented by his lawyers as allowed by the law.”
The Unity Party believes that the action of the police contradicts the laws of Liberia and the rights of Ali and an attempt to intimidate and prosecute members of the opposition who have spoken against socio-political ills in the country.
Taking cue from Chapter 1.5 of the Penal Law of Liberia which states “No conduct constitutes an offense unless it is a crime or infraction under [the penal law] or another statute of Liberia”, the Unity Party believes declaring Ali “wanted” by the police despite being represented by his lawyers is yet another ploy designed by the government to target critical voices.
“In BBC addition, Chapter 2.2.1 of the Criminal Procedure Law of Liberia provides an accused person the right to representation by legal counsels,” the party said.
The government, the party says, cannot attempt to arrest Ali over a Facebook post without due process to establish any link between his post and that which the government alleges.
The party however, said if the government of Liberia is convinced and has evidence that Ali’s Facebook post of March 1 has any link to the crimes being alleged, it should go ahead and press charges against him in accordance with the law.
“While we adjure the government to pursue the right and legal course and ensure the safety of Ali, the National Leadership and sympathizers of the Party will peacefully accompany him to the Liberia National Police Headquarters on Monday, March 22, 2021 at 10:00am,” the party said.