By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor
Liberia’s Telecommunication regulator melts into crisis as the country’s new President Launches ferocious war against the entity as he bids to remove siting commissioners he feels uncomfortable working with his administration.
In a concerning move that threatens the rule of law in Liberia, President Joseph Boakai has taken actions to dismantle key integrity and governance institutions in the country. This comes despite a clear Supreme Court ruling ordering the reinstatement of several officials occupying tenured positions.
The Supreme Court had previously ruled that Boakai, who is 79 years old, had violated the constitution by making nominations to these positions when the tenure of service of officials appointed by his predecessor had not expired. The Court noted that the officials were denied due process.
However, merely 48 hours after this ruling, President Boakai removed the officials that were ordered reinstated, citing unspecified acts of corruption. He has also suspended the Chairperson and a Commissioner of the Governance Commission, establishing a committee to investigate them.
In a statement, the President’s office claimed that these actions demonstrate Boakai’s “commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that public officials adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct.” However, the decisions appear to directly contradict the Supreme Court’s binding judgment.
Boakai has also dismissed the entire Board of Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, making interim appointments pending the outcome of a general audit. The President justified these moves as ensuring “continuity and stability” until the audit is completed.
The suspended Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA) have written to the Justice Minister and Attorney General of Liberia, alleging a “police invasion” at the head office of the LTA by officers of the Liberia National Police.
According to the commissioners, on the evening of April 26th, the Emergency Response Unit of the police forcibly entered the LTA premises and carried out a search on all employees and members of the board of commissioners without a search warrant.
In a communication dated April 27th, addressed to the Justice Minister, Cllr. Oswald Tweh states: “We write seeking an explanation of Friday’s invasion and request that you prevent another police invasion on the premises of the Liberia Telecommunication Authority. On April 26, 2024, at about 4:00pm, armed police invaded our offices, creating insecurity and pandemonium.”
The commissioners further allege that during the invasion, the police molested staffers and threatened to physically “escort” any member of the board of commissioners from the LTA premises. They also claim that the police made statements threatening their presence near the LTA.
The suspended commissioners express deep concern over the “vulnerabilities this move of your police brings to our personal security,” and seek the Justice Minister’s intervention to prevent any further police actions against them.
Drama is expected at the entity’s headquarters in the Paynesville Greater Monrovia area today as the new set of commissioners prepares to take office while those ousted by the President continue to fight through the courts.
