MONROVIA – President Joseph Boakai Tuesday, June 4, 2024 suspended, without pay, pending investigation, the director general of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Mr. Abraham S. Kromah, deputy director general for administration, Mr. Gbawou Kowou, and the deputy director general for operations, Mr. Hassan Fadiga, pending an investigation into rising tension and infighting among the three officials.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
The LDEA has been engulfed with infighting and acrimonious claims and counter-claims orchestrated by the top three officials, with Mr. Kromah on one side and his two deputies on another side.
This infighting reached its peak on Monday, June 3,2024 when a violent altercation erupted between Mr. Kromah and Fadiga, leading to the prompt intervention of Gregory Coleman, the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, before the situation was brought under control.
A statement signed by Anthony V. Kesselly, deputy minister of state for public affairs indicated that President Boakai was annoyed by Monday’s disorder and chaos that took place at the headquarters of the LDEA, describing it as unacceptable, and threatening public peace and undermining his government’s fight against illicit drugs.
In the interim, according to the release, the president named Mr. Christopher Peters, as Officer in Charge (OIC) of the agency, pending the conclusion of the investigation.
Allegations against Kromah
A joint letter of complaint by Fadiga and Kowou surfaced on social media Tuesday, with the duo reporting Mr. Kromah to the minister of justice, urging him to take urgent actions on matters ranging from alleged illegal practices, protection of notorious drug dealers to insubordination.
Kowou and Fadiga said they found it pertinent to call the attention of ClIr. N. Oswald Tweh to Mr. Kromah’s misgivings because they are capable of hindering the fight against illicit drug in the country.
“Since our appointments as deputy director general for administration and deputy director general for operations, we have endured repeated humiliation and insults from Mr. Kromah, along with his blatant disregard for the agency’s policies, guidelines, and procedures.” Fadiga and Kowou said in a joint communication to Cllr. Tweh.
Continuing, they added: “Our concerns have escalated due to Hon. Kromah’s ongoing involvement and alliance with drug dealers. His policy of protecting notorious drug dealers under the guise of cultivating intelligence and confidential informants, coupled with his recruitment of ex-combatants to perform LDEA functions outside the agency’s command structure, has compelled us to bring this matter to your attention.”
Fadiga and Kowou said despite these issues being serious enough to warrant a formal complaint, they initially sought to resolve them internally through dialogue, aiming to develop mechanisms for resolution, but efforts only seemed to embolden Mr. Kromah to treat the LDEA as his personal domain.
Kowou and Fadiga added that the massive recruitment of individuals by Director Kromah of people reportedly from his ethnic group has become a serious concern.
“With absolutely no regard to the Deputy Director General for Administration, Director Kromah has gone on a spree of employing people who are mostly ex-combatants and have no qualifications to do law enforcement work,” Fadiga and Kowou added.
“The employment/appointments being carried out by Director Kromah are completely outside of the LDEA structure and Duty Manual. It is important to note that in March of 2024, we agreed as the new management team that in order to rebrand, restructure, and reform the LDEA, a comprehensive revaluation of all active personnel who had graduated from the academy was required,” they said.
Selecting ex-fighters for firearm training
Another allegation levied against Mr. Kromah is his reported submission of several names for firearm training, many of whom they (Fadiga and Kowou) claimed are ex-fighters, without undergoing the necessary vetting process and without any consultation with the deputy director general of operations.
They alleged that the oversight poses significant risks to the safety and security of the country. “It is imperative that all personnel who are authorized to carry firearms possess the requisite temperament, discipline, and professional qualifications,” they said.
Fadiga and Kowou claimed also that some individuals on the current list are not employees of the LDEA, and as such, they have not been evaluated to determine their suitability for handling firearms. “It is important to note that proper vetting and consultation processes are essential to maintaining the integrity and safety of our operations,” they said.
“Bypassing these steps not only undermines our protocols but also endangers public safety. More importantly, empowering those ex-fighters with arms would only make his cartel stronger. These individuals had on so many occasions violated the rights of peaceful citizens,” The deputy director general of operation has received multiple complaints about their behavior from illegal search and seizure to illegal detention of individuals to settle personal scores.
Protection of Notorious Drug Dealer
According to Fadiga and Kowou, in March 2024, they had multiple meetings with then-Director of the National Security Agency, Hon. J. Henrick Pearson, who provided intelligence on some of the most dangerous drug dealers in the country, including “God-Lord.” When they planned an operation to apprehend “God-Lord ”, Mr. Kromah reportedly called off the operation, declaring “God-Lord ” a confidential informant under LDEA protection.
Despite their objections, Mr. Kromah, they alleged, claimed that Cllr. Tweh was briefed and had concurred with his (Kromah’s) decision. “As a result, “God-Lord” has since expanded his drug network, operating with impunity.”
Kromah denies the allegations
When contacted by FrontPageAfrica Tuesday, Kromah did not respond, however, in a press conference on Monday, he denied the allegations levied against him by his two deputies, and said they are bent on spreading gossip and falsehoods.
“Some people strive to embellish falsehoods for prominence. I have been around for almost 30 years. I joined the police force in 1985. It is not about the money I came into the police force. Before I came here, I ran one of the most successful security firms. So, I am not into this because of money,” he said.
He added: “Basically, there is nothing that I will need that I can’t get. I have a kid that is under drugs. My issue with drugs is a personal issue. And the personal aspect of it is combined with my nationalistic instinct. I will not compromise, but people want to embellish and dwell on falsehood.”
On Monday Kromah said the unhealthy relationship between his deputies and him was causing distraction in the fight against drugs and stressed the need to meet with the president to find a solution.
“The mixture is not a good mixture. Basically, we have to sit down with the leader to see if we can find a way out of this quagmire because Liberians are dying, kids are dying. We have to find a way to protect them and support them,” he said.
He added, “The director of Police had to come because I called him up. I called him because Fadiga was brandishing a weapon and we had to disarm him. We took the gun from him, and Gbawou Kowou left and went to his office.”
Kromah mentioned that after his appointment, President Boakai gave him the leverage to recommend those he trusted and found capable to serve as his principal deputies. He then recommended Fadiga and Kowou. However, it now appears that his recommendations were wrong.
Drug abuse: A health emergency
Drug abuse is a growing problem in Liberia. While there is no reliable data on the exact number of users, a study by the United Nations Population Fund Liberia found that a staggering one in five Liberian youths take narcotics.
A New Narratives and FrontPage Africa investigative report, quoting the Liberia National police, say It’s not just drug users and their families who are suffering. Addiction is driving Monrovia’s growing rates of crime, according to police, as addicts steal to fund their habits.
Following his inauguration, President Boakai declared drug abuse a national health emergency and called for a concerted effort to address it. In line with his campaign promise, the President set up a steering committee comprising the Ministry of Health as Chair, the Ministry of Justice as Co-Chair, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), and Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) as members. He also rallied his government officials to undergo drug tests. Both he and his Vice President have already completed their tests.
Applauding the president
Liberians took to social media to commend President Boakai for his “crucial decision” to suspend three LDEA officials, with many believing the move would address recurring issues at the agency.
Liberian political commentator, Abudullah Kiatamba, praised the president on Facebook: “President Boakai showed strength and demonstrated wisdom on the LDEA issue. We hope he’ll act justly when the facts are laid bare after the ‘speedy investigation.’ There should be no sacred cow.”
Hassan Fahnbulleh, another Liberian, expressed his support: “The decision is highly welcomed, Mr. President. I don’t know what is really happening to us Liberians. It’s sad to see the director and deputy director fighting over something we don’t understand. In this crucial time in governance, what are we going to deliver on the promise?”
Jel S. Konway also weighed in: “While I believe action should be taken against the director general, suspending both the boss and his subordinates is not the best decision. Actions should have been taken against the deputies as a warning to subordinates to respect their superiors. Suspending both could leave room for the under men to disrespect their boss due to their closeness to higher-ups. Suspend the deputies and subject the director general to a full-scale independent investigation based on their complaints before taking action against him.”
