Monrovia – Mr. Mulbah Morlu, Chairman of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Monday, August 26, honored a mandate from the Liberia National Police (LNP) to appear at its headquarters to aid ongoing investigation relating to an assault on the Deputy Police Inspector General for Operations by some citizens to be supporters of the ruling CDC.
Report by Henry Karmo, [email protected]
The LNP over the weekend gave Morlu and Representative Moses Acarous Gray, also a high-ranking member of the Coalition, up to Monday, to submit themselves for questioning in connection with recent electoral violence.
It is not yet clear whether Rep. Gray appeared as was requested. All efforts to contact the lawmaker proved unsuccessful.
Morlu in an interview with reporters at the LNP headquarters said his appearance does not in any way indicate that he is accused of any act of violence.
“What is clear is that I do not stand accuse; I did not come here because I had to give a statement. I came because I am the Chairman of the CDC and as Chairman, I was called to hold a conversation about how to derive facts surrounding allegations.”
Morlu told reporters that he had expected a written invitation to come from the Police but that didn’t happen. He indicated that as a law-abiding citizen irrespective of status, he went to listen to what the police had to say.
Morlu maintained that CDC has a non-compromising policy against violence and that anyone exhibiting such behavior contradicts the values of the party.
“The CDC will remain cooperative with the Police investigation to ensure that the perpetrator is brought to justice. We will ensure cooperation with state institution to ensure justice. We do not support any act of violence to hear that a police officer was assaulted by a group of Liberians, irrespective of party affiliation is a reprehensible act of lawlessness that the party stands to condemn.”
The Inspector-General of Police, Col. Patrick Sudue, on Thursday, August 22, told the Senate’s Plenary that both Morlu and Gray are of key interest in the investigation of the assault of Deputy Inspector General Marvin Sackor. The assaults were allegedly carried out by supporters of the ruling party.
Reacting to Col. Sudue’s testimony, the CDC Chairman said the IG Sudue had “lied under oath” against him. The CDC insisted that at no time was any of the members of its leadership invited by the police for questioning.
“As the CDC condemns all forms of violence at all times, it nevertheless refutes Director Sudue’s information as untrue. The CDC, neither its officials has not received any letter of invitation, or calls from the Police, especially in regards to an ongoing investigation,” the party said in a statement read by its Chairman.
“We would like to use this medium to inform Chairman Morlu that the LNP stands by every statement it made yesterday before members of the Senate especially concerning the invitation of Chairman Morlu and Hon. Acarous Gray to assist with this investigation,” the Police said in a statement.
“The CDC will remain cooperative with the Police investigation to ensure that the perpetrator is brought to justice. We will ensure cooperation with state institution to ensure justice. We do not support any act of violence to hear that a police officer was assaulted by a group of Liberians, irrespective of party affiliation is a reprehensible act of lawlessness that the party stands to condemn.”
– Mulbah Morlu, Chairman Coalition for Democratic Change
The police, meanwhile, clarified that Morlu and Gray have not been declared suspects, but only finds it obvious that to invite the two ranking members to ascertain the cause of the violence and assault that occurred at the party headquarters.
“It is only obvious for us to invite Chairman Morlu and Hon. Gray to hear from them on what transpired at the CDC’s headquarters as it relates to the alleged assault on DIGPO Sackor since in fact they, as leaders of the CDC were on the scene of the incident which is aimed at ensuring that the perpetrators are made to face the full weight of the law.”
“Hence, the LNP is using this medium to request the appearance of Chairman Morlu and Hon. Acarous Gray at the headquarters of the Liberia National Police not later than 12:00 Noon on Monday, August 26, 2019,” the Police statement asserted.