Liberia: Maryland Senator Brown Dismisses Witherspoon Claims as ‘Bogus,’ Denies Fathering Officer in Cocaine Probe

MONROVIA- Maryland County Senator, J. Gbleh‑bo Brown, has responded to allegations aired by Spoon Network Chief Executive Officer, Stanton Witherspoon, rejecting claims that tied him to a police officer under investigation for allegedly escorting drugs in Monrovia.

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By Jaheim T. [email protected] 

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In a statement signed by his chief of office staff,  Senator Brown denounced the accusations as “bogus, wicked, senseless, baseless, and politically‑motivated,” saying they were designed to malign his reputation and derail Liberia’s fight against narcotics.

The controversy erupted on July 23 when Witherspoon used his media platform to accuse Senator Brown of being the “father” of Wadell Kwarbo, Chief of Patrol at the Liberia National Police.

Mr. Kwarbo is reportedly under investigation for allegedly escorting drugs in the Monrovia.

Witherspoon declared Mr. Kwarbo guilty before any official findings, and by extension implicated Senator Brown.

Senator Brown’s office categorically rejected the linkage.

“The Office of Senator Brown categorically rejects and condemns these diabolical allegations,” the statement read, adding that the claims were “only intended to undermine, confuse and mislead any meaningful investigations into the drugs trade in Liberia.”

The Maryland County Senator clarified his relationship to Kwarbo, stressing that he is not his son.

“Mr. Wadell Kwarbo is a junior brother to the wife of Senator J. Gbleh‑bo Brown,” the statement explained.

Senator Brown and his wife had raised Kwarbo from childhood in Monrovia after bringing him from Maryland County, but the Senator emphasized that Kwarbo has lived independently for nearly two decades.

“Senator Brown and his wife can honestly attest to the fact that, of the many children they reared, Wadell Kwarbo was one of the finest in terms of his humility, submissiveness, discipline and serious‑mindedness,” the office said.

The statement also underscored that Mr. Kwarbo’s career in law enforcement began long before Brown entered politics. “ Wadell Kwarbo was recruited and trained into the Liberian National Police Force during Liberia’s Security Sector Reform process by UNMIL long before J. Gbleh‑bo Brown became Senator,” it noted.

Senator Brown insisted that he has never engaged in drug use or trafficking. “Senator Brown, in all of his life, has never touched an ordinary cigarette and will never do nor trade in drugs,” the office declared.

Despite expressing heartbreak over Kwarbo’s alleged involvement, Senator Brown pledged to remain steadfast in combating narcotics.

“Senator Brown and his wife are heart‑broken owing to the news of their son’s involvement in the drugs trade given the level of upbringing they have provided to him. Their hearts are with him during these challenging times,” the statement said.

Senator Brown vowed to continue his fight against narcotics regardless of the allegations.

“Senator J. Gbleh‑bo Brown remains resolute in his fight against drugs in Liberia and will continue to do all within his powers as a citizen of Liberia and Senator towards the eradication of this menace from the Liberian society,” the office affirmed.

Senator Brown framed the drug trade as a national security threat, calling for unity across political lines.

“The drugs trade has now become a serious threat to our national security. The Senator therefore calls on all meaningful Liberians to remain focused in the fight against this evil empire,” the statement read.

He urged politicians to avoid exploiting the issue for partisan gain.  “Politics should be taken out of this fight. This fight should adopt a bi‑partisan approach and partisans of political parties must stop using this as a political weapon against each other,” Senator Brown said.