MONROVIA – The family of detained former Highway Patrol Chief Wadell Kwarbo has rejected claims that he told a source he escorted a van linked to a US$317 million drug case on the orders of Inspector General of Police Gregory O. W. Coleman.
By Rodney D. Sieh
In the statement attributed to him, Kwarbo also called for his phone records and his written statement to police to be made public. “Let them get my call log. My call log can be subpoenaed through the Court. The call came from IG Gregory Coleman for me to provide the escort for the cocaine,” he was quoted as saying. “Let them release my written statement also. Why are they keeping it? They have it.”
Earlier, Kwarbo’s father told Spoon FM that before his son was jailed, he said he had received a call from a senior officer instructing him to escort the drugs. The father did not name the officer.
IG Coleman responds
IG Coleman, responding to the claims, said he has been the target of a sustained disinformation campaign for the past four months.
“For the past four months, I have been the target of a sustained disinformation campaign intended to damage my character and silence my fight against the culture of impunity, including the ongoing drug investigation,” he said.
The police chief said he would always defend free speech but warned against spreading falsehoods about an active investigation.
“Deliberately spreading falsehoods about an active investigation, however, does a disservice to the Liberian people. The facts must be established through evidence and lawful process. Anyone found to have broken the law must be held accountable under that same process,” he said.
“I will remain focused on my duty. I will not be intimidated,” Coleman added.
Family: ‘He made no such statement’
The family’s statement said neither the family nor Kwarbo’s legal team had been informed of, or had authorized, any statement by him alleging that the IG instructed him to take part in, facilitate or escort any illegal drug activity.
“Mr. Kwarbo himself firmly rejects and denies this allegation in its entirety and maintains that he has made no such statement,” the family said.
The family said Kwarbo has consistently maintained his innocence and has been advised by his lawyers not to comment on his arrest and detention, arguing that his innocence will be decided “in the courtroom,” not through press releases or social media.
It described the statement attributed to him as “malicious” and urged those spreading it to verify their sources before publication. The family also said his arrest and detention were based on “false and misleading allegations” and reflected a hasty error of judgment that ignored the relevant facts and his years of service to the Liberia National Police.
Noting that the case is before the court, the family said Kwarbo is entitled to the presumption of innocence and a fair trial. It urged journalists, commentators and the public to avoid repeating unverified statements that could prejudice the proceedings.
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