Monrovia — The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, Gregory Coleman, has thrown a challenge to motorcyclists intending to protest against the announced restriction on them, if they feel entitled to resist the law. 

By Willie N. Tokpah/0777039231

Speaking Wednesday, May 1, when he inducted former Reporters Association of Liberia President, Cecelia G. Clarke as first female Spokesperson of the LNP, Coleman said there is room for negotiation, if their concerns are legitimate than challenging the no-go-zone restriction.

“We are concerned about the motorcycle issue in this country, because behind each rider is a real person with family and other responsibilities who pays for service to be conducted.

Coleman acknowledged the efforts of motorcyclists in transporting people from one place to another, but, however, maintained that these measures are crucial to the safety of the people they are transporting. 

“To those who have stood up to come and guide them, only in the name of protest, I challenge you, if you believe the only means you can take is to go ahead and protest, I challenge you to go ahead and try. Our doors are opened for discussion and if there are legitimate concerns, we can work on that, but this lawlessness has to end, protest cannot be the only way out,” Coleman stressed. 

He said law and order will prevail in Liberia, going forward and anyone who tends to be undermined will be resisted.   

He warned those planning to protest, that the LNP will not hesitate to institute any measure necessary to uphold law and order in Liberia. 

Coleman stated that the LNP will not succumb to acts that tend to intimidate government and state security, but will ensure that peace prevails.

Moreover, the LNP has maintained that the police are concerned about crimes around the city and are putting in place measures to curb them.

Inspector Coleman emphasized that public safety remains a serious concern of the police and that his administration will not condone any act that will threaten the peace and safety of citizens and the state.

He also stressed on heavy-duty vehicles, making specific reference to mining companies whose vehicles ply from the Bomi highway to the Freeport of Monrovia.

Coleman noted that it is the responsibility of the police to protect lives and properties will not sit and allow accident to occur before taking action. 

Halt will be placed on these vehicles movements until the issue of speeding vehicles is addressed, he said.

The Police Inspector General further said that though it is the right of individuals to protest, when their rights infringed on others’ rights the police will come in. 

Meanwhile, IG Coleman has also disclosed a plan to reinvestigate cases that the public still has subspicion about, including the three missing boys, the four auditors, and other cases.

He said all cases that citizens have had suspicion about will be investigated to the fullest. 

At the same time, the Liberia National Police has inducted its first female spokesperson, Madam Cecelia Clarke replacing, Moses Carter.

Madam Clarke, who is former President of the Reporters Association of Liberia and was an employee of the Liberia Broadcasting System up to her new portfolio, is now “Unit 122”, the official spokesperson of the LNP.

During her induction, Inspector Coleman said, Madam Clarke’s appointment is a testament to President Boakai’s commitment to gender balance in government. 

During the induction ceremony on Wednesday at the LNP headquarters,  Coleman said the appointment of Madam Clarke is also a testament to women’s empowerment within the police force.

Coleman noted that the newly-inducted Police Spokesperson is a product of the police training academy and a trained EPS officer, whom he thinks can serve the police well.

For her part, Madam Cecelia Clarke pledged her commitment to upholding the image of the police.

Meanwhile, Madam Clarke has committed herself to remain visible and accessible to the public at all times to gain public trust.

Greetings Col. Coleman,

I commend the Liberia National Police for their vigilance in ensuring security, particularly through the inspection of vehicles at night. However, I must draw your attention to a matter of concern regarding the discretion exercised by some of your officers, which, instead of safeguarding lives, has the potential to endanger them. As the adage goes, the police are there to save lives and protect property.

I speak from personal experience. Recently, while returning from Lamco Camp, Palala, Bong County, I encountered a group of officers inspecting vehicles at Vamoma Junction just after midnight. Despite the late hour and a long journey, I cooperated fully when stopped by an officer who inspected the trunk of my vehicle. However, what followed was concerning.

Upon request, I presented my vehicle registration, which was in order. However, when asked for my driver’s license, I realized I had my wife’s license instead of my own. I explained that my wife and I often switch cars, and it was likely that my license was in hers, as hers was in mine. I provided the officer with multiple forms of identification that matched the car registration and even disclosed my place of employment. Despite this, my vehicle was impounded at 12 am, leaving me vulnerable to the very dangers the police are meant to protect against.

This incident left me both terrified and confused, especially considering the ongoing case of Amanda Nebo. As a journalist, I am even at a greater risk, and your officers needlessly exposed me to further danger. With no alternative, I was forced to continue my journey on a commercial motorcycle, operated by an unregistered and unlicensed rider, I guess. However, it seems this was of little concern to the police.

Col. Coleman, I am aware that police officers are entitled to exercise discretion in the execution of their duties. However, I believe this should involve a thorough assessment of the situation’s risks before making a decision. If anything had happened to me, what would the police have said? My blood would have been on your hands.

I bring this matter to your attention not only for my own sake but also out of concern for the safety of others who may fall victim to similar decisions made by your officers.

I trust that you will take appropriate action to address this issue promptly.

Yours sincerely,

Lennart Dodoo
Editor, FrontPageAfrica

Monrovia – Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has named the first members of his Cabinet, including Finance and Development Planning, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, National Security Advisor, Police, and Director of Executive Protective Service, hours after taking office.

By Selma Lomax, Selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com

Boima Kamara was named Minister of Finance and Development Planning, while Gregory Coleman was announced as Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, and Samuel Koffi Woods goes as National Security Advisor.

Sam Gaye takes over as Director of the Executive Protective Service and Sylvester Grigsby was appointed as  Minister of States for Presidential Affairs.

The nominations still have to be confirmed by the Liberian Senate.

Boakai, who was sworn in Monday as Liberia’s 26th president, has promised to deliver democratic dividends to citizens in a country where widespread poverty that has left many frustrated and angry.

MONROVIA – The former Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, Colonel Gregory O. W. Coleman has cautioned joint security forces of the Government of Liberia (GOL) against the harassment and intimidation of peaceful citizens during this state of emergency period in the country.

Report by Obediah Johnson, obediah.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com

President Weah declared a 21-day state of emergency to enforce a stay home order and the observance of social distancing in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The Liberian leader’s action comes in the wake of the unprecedented increase in the number of coronavirus deaths and cases in the country.

Soldiers and officers of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Liberia National Police (LNP), Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), and the National Security Agency (NSA), among others are enforcing the state of emergency declared by President George Manneh Weah on April 8.

According to the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), about five persons have died of COVID-19 in the country, while 50 other cases remain active.

“As law enforcement officers given the power and authority to execute such mandate, you should know your fundamental duty is to serve the community, to safeguard lives and properties, to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against abuse or disorder, and to respect the constitutional rights of all to liberty, equality and justice.”

– Col. Gregory Coleman, Former Inspector General of Police

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Sunday, Colonel Coleman reminded the security actors about their fundamental duty to serve the communities and protect lives and properties.

He maintained that the constitutional rights of citizens to liberty, equality and justice must be respected by all security actors.

“As law enforcement officers given the power and authority to execute such mandate, you should know your fundamental duty is to serve the community, to safeguard lives and properties, to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against abuse or disorder, and to respect the constitutional rights of all to liberty, equality and justice”.

The Liberian security expert further warned the soldiers and officers against allowing their personal feelings, political beliefs, aspirations and hatred for others to carry on their assigned task and responsibilities during this emergency period.

He warned the soldiers and officers against allowing their friendships with others to influence their decisions in the wake of exercising their professional duties during the state of emergency which was occasioned as a result of the growing wave of coronavirus deaths and cases in Liberia.

Coleman maintained: “with no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will”.

He further cautioned security actors against “employing unnecessary force or abuse” and accepting gratuities for their services being rendered at this time.

The caveat sounded by the former LNP Inspector-General Coleman comes in the wake of reports of alleged brutalities of unarmed and peaceful civilians during this state of emergency by some security actors.

 Monrovia – The Inspector General of Police, Gregory Coleman, has been issued a Writ of Civil Contempt by the Monrovia City Court over his alleged failure to appear for hearing into the alleged conspiracy case against Grand Gedeh District #2 Morias Waylee.

Report by Kennedy L. Yangianklyangian@frontpageafricaonline.com

The Police boss had been cited by the court to appear at the magistrate court on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at the hour of 9:00 A.M. to show cause why he should not be held in contempt by the court.

“All parties to the case were advised to be in court on today’s date but the private prosecutor the Liberian Police failed, refused and neglected to be present in court without any excuse this the court sees as a disrespect to the court therefore the clerk of this court is ordered to issue a civil contempt on the Police boss and others,” said Magistrate Peabody who adjourned the case to resume on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at the hour of 9:00 A.M.

Lawmaker Waylee is charged with multiple criminal offences kidnapping, criminal conspiracy, tempering with witnesses and investigation.

Defendant Waylee is to appear at the hearing with his wife Welliet Waylee who faces the same multiple criminal offences as her husband.

Wednesday’s appearance will be the couples third time to appear at the Monrovia City Court for prosecution after they were arrested by the Liberia National Police on Thursday, July 12, 2017.

The first time the defendants were at the court was on Saturday July 14, where they were arraigned and later freed on bail after they failed a criminal appearance bond.

On Monday, July 16, 2017 the couple made another court appearance, but Magistrate Kennedy Peabody could not proceed with the trial due to the absence of the Police boss Gregory Coleman and Chief Prosecutor and Solicitor General Cllr. Betty Larmin Blamo.

Grand Gedeh District #2 Morias Waylee was arrested by officers of the Liberian National Police (LNP) on Thursday, July 12, 2017 months after the FrontPageAfrica reported that he has raped his 13-year-old niece who prior to the time of the incident lived with him at his Careysburg residence, but the lawmaker has denied the claim.

Rep. Waylee told FrontPageAfrica that the allegation was a make-up from his political opponents and that he does not know this girl, questioning – “Do I look like someone who will rape a 13-year-old girl?”

In a press briefing following the lawmaker’s arrest Police IG Coleman stated that though their investigation has not been able to establish that the lawmaker committed the act of rape, they were able to establish that the girl lived with the lawmaker, contrary to his denial that he never met her before. The Police has also not been able to find the whereabouts of the  minor and the baby..

“Today, we have arrested lawmaker Waylee over report that he raped a 13-year-old girl, but the girl is missing but he and his wife have denied that the girl ever lived with them but with species of evidence for now in the Police possession we are charging him with conspiracy and tempering with witnesses and investigation,” said Col. Coleman.

 Meanwhile, a women group under the banner of Safe-Cities Women Forum and Medica Liberia in association with Action Aid Liberia told FrontpageAfrica that it will keenly monitor the Waylee’s trial from start to its logical conclusion to ensure that justice is served in the case of the 13-year old alleged rape victim.

“Representative Morias Waylee is not above the law, despite his status let justice be served,” Nornor Bee head of the group told this paper at the Temple of Justice during the arrest of the lawmaker Waylee.