MONROVIA – Agents of the National Security Agency (NSA) of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) led-government of President George Manneh Weah are said to be tailing and keeping surveillance on the movement and workings of renowned Liberian humanitarian, Dr. Daniel E. Cassell – a move that is reportedly instilling fear in family members, closed associates and community dwellers.
The National Security Agency (NSA) is a merger of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) which was responsible for covert and overt security investigations, and the Executive Action Bureau (EAB) which was previously tasked with the responsibility to carry out clandestine activities for the Executives.
In the early 1970‘s, during the administration of President Tubman, similar function to that of the EAB was carried out by the National Intelligence Service (NISS), but on the highest national level. Conversely, the NISS was dissolved following the death of President Tubman and the subsequent taking over of power by President Williams R. Tolbert, Jr., leaving the EAB at the time as the only clandestine agency.
On May 20, 1974, an act repealing sub-chapter D of Chapter 1, Part 1 and sub-chapter B of Chapter 22, Part II of the Executive Law in Relation to the EAB and the NBI, and creating the NSA was approved. The NSA was left as the only agency solely responsible for gathering national security intelligence, but having to conduct special investigations, whenever the need arises. Later, on August 30, 1974, the Act creating the National Security Agency (NSA) was published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia, Liberia.
Dr. Cassell is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania, USA, a Licensed Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LCADC) in New Jersey and the President/Founder of the Kwenyan Professional Health Services, LLC and Kwenyan and Associates based in the United States.
He is also the CEO of the Kwenyan Security Firm in Liberia.
Through his foundation, Dr. Cassell’s Foundation, the Liberian humanitarian has impacted the lives of thousands of Liberians, including visually impaired, physically challenged, old folks, widows, students, youth groups and organizations, soccer teams, among others.
His multiple humanitarian gestures commenced over six years ago, but his foundation came to prominence in July 2020 during the heat of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Dr. Cassell and his family, including wife-Bindu Coleman Cassell and two kids, are currently in the country, extending helping hands to ess fortunate citizens.
But for some times now, agents of the NSA have been “monitoring” the movement of the Liberian humanitarian with the latest being the storming of his home by scores of agents during the late night hours.
Footage from a CCTV recording, in the possession of FrontPage Africa shows scores of planned clothes security guards disembarking from separate vehicles, including two pick-ups and one jeep with tainted windshields, holding discussion and monitoring the movement of vehicles, passers-by and others moving around, in and out of the 13th street residence of Dr. Cassell.
Fear
Family members and closed associates of Dr. Cassell are reported to be living in fear as a result of the consistent tailing of the Liberian humanitarian.
Residing of the 13th Street Community are also said to be living in fear as a result of the situation.
They are compelled to vacate the streets or remain indoors whenever these vehicles arrived and are parked just few seconds walk away from the home of Dr. Cassell.
Why the move
For the short period of time, the Dr. Cassell’s Foundation is becoming a household name in the country-ringing bells in the ears of Liberians and others.
Sources have hinted that government, through the NSA, decision taken to keep surveillance on the Liberian humanitarian stemmed from the pronouncement made by Dr. Cassell to offer a L$5M bounty to anyone who will provide cogent information leading to the arrest and subsequent prosecution of any of the “killers” of the four Liberian auditors who died one after another in eight days.
The pronouncement was intended to ensure that justice prevails in the matter and help curtail the culture of impunity in Liberia.
There are also reports that the government, particularly the Executive branch, is shivering with political fears that Dr. Cassell could contest the presidency come 2023 due to his growing popularity among members of the abandoned communities in Liberia.
As evidenced, the government, through the NSA is reported to be keeping surveillance on activities of the newly accredited People’s Liberation Party (PLP).
The party was accredited by the National Elections Commission (NEC), on December 21, 2020.
In a brief text message sent to FrontPage Africa on Thursday, January 28 in response to the allegation, the Director of the NSA, Henric Pearson, pointed out that community dwellers and others are not being targeted by the agency.
“Be sure, the community dwellers, closed associates and family members of Dr. Cassell are not targets of the agency and we have no reason/s to tail them”, Pearson stated.
He continued: “Forward to me any information that links my agent/s and we will exercise our rules and regulations”.
When quizzed whether the agency is specifically tailing Dr. Cassell, Director Pearson responded “no”.
Unwavering quest
Despite the situation, Dr. Cassell appears not to be perturbed over the matter by remaining unbending and focused towards his overzealous ambition to continue to aid to the needy.
On Wednesday, the Liberian humanitarian stormed the VOA Community and the township of Virginia, outside Monrovia to grace separate honoring, and acquaintance programs.
He was appreciated and gowned by hundreds of residents, including women, youths, students and widows of the VOA Community in district # 17, Montserrado County, for his immeasurable contributions to less fortunate Liberians and groups.
“We are here to gown you for your many contributions to improving the lives of others. This gown may not be attractive for you, but God is highly in this gown”, Miatta M. Cooper, chairlady of the Friends of Cassell (FOC) stated.
Speaking earlier, Dr. Cassell stated that despite his status and success in life, he finds no pleasure in wining and dining with the elites at fabulous and extravagant places, adding that, “the people that need help are the people that I see here today”.
He vowed not to relent on providing assistance to the needy, but called on financially potent Liberians at home and in the diaspora to “reach back and help others”.
“Because of the love I have for this country, that’s why God sent me back. I didn’t come back on my own. I am a servant of the Most High and I have a direct instruction from God. Whatever he tells me to do, I will do it. I have come to tell you that I feel your pains and sufferings and I will identify with all of you”.
“I have come to liberate, assist and change the lives and the conditions of the less fortunate; those who have been marginalized and disenfranchised in your own country. The disadvantages and challenges I went through those challenges, I will make such it does not happen to those who I am connected to”.
Suffering like slaves
Speaking further, Dr. Cassell observed that Liberians continue to suffer like “slaves” in their own country.
According to him, the current situation is uncalled for and must be changed.
He blamed the current hardship and sufferings on the lives of vast majority Liberian citizens to the miserable performances of those he called “so-called politicians”.
“No matter what people have said to you-from one lie to another from our so called politicians; they are miserable. They tell you one lie through this side of their mouths, the next time they will tell you another through the right side. I am not a politician and so, when I tell you that I am going to do something, I will do it”.
According to him, monies intended to better the living conditions of citizens are allegedly embezzled or sent overseas by some of these politicians for the benefit of them and their respective family members.
Dr. Cassell indicated that despite their current conditions, Liberians must keep the hope alive and have in mind that a genuine change is coming.
He, however, attributed his success in life to honesty, hard work and education.
On Thursday, January 28, Dr. Cassell also visited various slum communities including Trench Town down Randall Street, street vendors on Broad Street and the Soniwien Community in Monrovia to listen to the plights of the visually impaired, disadvantaged youths, marketers and others.
He also presented the total cash of L$300,000 to those he visited.
It remains unclear what is the rationale behind the decision taken by authorities of the NSA to keep surveillance on the movement and workings of Dr. Cassell who is buttressing government’s efforts to help improve the living conditions of citizens through humanitarian works in the wake of extreme economic constraints and abject poverty in the Liberian society.