Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), a prominent civil society organization in Liberia, has praised the Liberia National Police (LNP) for reopening the investigation into the death of Emmanuel Barthan Nyeswa, former Director of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA).
In a statement shared with journalist Wednesday in Monrovia, the group said the LNP’s decision to revisit the unresolved death of Mr. Nyeswa will foster a climate of justice in Liberia, strengthen the rule of law, and provide closure for his family. The organization stated that this step underscores the fact that true democracy and the rule of law cannot thrive without accountability and justice.
The police must remain resolute, following the trail of evidence without hesitation, STAND Chairman Mulbah Morlu said,  urging police authorities to broaden the investigation to include other unsolved murders, such as the mysterious deaths of auditors, security officers, and instances of electoral violence.
Some of the cases STAND highlighted include the unresolved deaths of Albert Peters, Internal Auditor at the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA); Gifty Lama, Research Analyst at the LRA’s Tax Payer Division; George B. Fahnbutu, Revenue Auditor at the LRA; Agent Melvin Earley, an officer from the Executive Protection Service (EPS); Sgt. Bobby Manneh, an officer from the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL); and Amanda Nebo, a Police Officer from the Liberia National Police (LNP).
While noting that the LNP has identified several individuals, including high-level officials from the previous government, as “persons of interest” in the investigation into Mr. Nyensuah’s alleged murder, STAND urged the police to follow the evidence impartially, regardless of where it leads, while ensuring that the fundamental rights of every accused are protected.
STAND reiterated that this action by the Liberia National Police is a step in the right direction, and it called on the Boakai administration to ensure that justice prevails, particularly for victims of injustice and families who have lost loved ones.
The organization also questioned the current status of Ms. Queen Johnson, who was once identified by the LNP as a “person of interest” in the investigation of Joshua Solomon’s mobbing death.
The leading Civil Society group highlighted  the importance of an equitable justice system, one that is credible, transparent, and free from political interference.
The organization recommended that the Boakai administration seek the assistance and support of independent bodies, including international partners, to ensure an unbiased and nonpartisan investigation into these national tragedies.
