Fellow Liberians, what we witnessed on Saturday, June 7, 2025 reminds me of our forgotten historical past. Throughout my life, I have not only fought against repressive regimes, abuse of human rights, but I have strongly condemned acts of violence, both physical and mental in this country.
I have championed freedom of liberty, justice and religious dignity. In the midst of all, I endured real pain and suffering that no normal human being can ever experience.
I was disappointed on Saturday when I watched on social media the physical abuse of Mr. Janga Augustus Kowo , Chairman of the CDC. He was brutally manhandled by some officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP). This action of physical abuse cannot be justified in any civilized society. We strongly condemn it!
It’s no doubt that Liberia has some of the best officers within the police force, but I am hasten to condemn the barbaric actions of some of them for their brutal attacks on Mr. Kowo.
Mr. Kowo was seen putting his hands up, and making no attempt to resist and challenge his arrest. He obeyed instructions and was seen physically walking towards the police vehicle with his hands in the air.
In the process, police beat and pushed him so badly that his head went down in the police pickup with severe forrce. In all fairness, this is not the police force we built over the years.
We call on our friends within the police force to act decisively and “penalize” those overzealous officers for their brutal action against a Liberian citizen.
It’s obvious that when a suspect poses some level of threats, resists arrest and challenges police officers, the need to use physical force becomes a security necessity. In this case, the suspect was not putting any resistance. All he did was to obey the instructions of the police with his hands up indicating he was in compliance and had no weapon with him.
Seeing the brutal action carried against Mr. Kowo was shameful and the use of brutal force cannot be justified.
We call for an immediate investigation in this matter. The Police Director, Col. Gregory Colman must do the needful thing to ensure those who use brutal force against Mr. Kowo are penalized as was done in the past under his directive.
Mr. Coleman must ensure that his officers are trained to understand when and how to use force in making an arrest of a suspect.
Capitol Building Arrest
Beyond that, the plan by the government to arrest and incarcerate the Former Speaker, Fonati Kofa and three other lawmakers at the Monrovia Central Prison on Saturday, should have been carefully reviewed before execution.
Let me be very clear here; the law must take its course! However, the circumstances surrounding the invitation and arrest of the suspects in connection with the burning of the Capitol Building, seat of the Legislature, was politically motivated. It had preconceived notions of guilt against the suspects.
Since the impasse at the Legislature, the police took a side to protect Members of the Majority Bloc. A day before the Capitol Building got burnt, the police were deployed at the Capitol Building. The security of that place was squarely managed by the LNP.
While we cannot conclude that the suspects are innocent, it’s imperative to state here that the consistency in targeting Members of the Majority Bloc in this crime, speaks clearly of a predojized investigation. Throughout the investigation, members of the Majority Bloc were never invited by the police for hearing, except those from the Minority Bloc.
The arrest and incarceration of the Former Speaker and three lawmakers from the Majority Bloc at the Monrovia Central Prison in connection with the burning of the Capitol Building has a political undertone based on the above-mentioned.
Fellow Liberians, if the call for the Rule of Law to be followed and implemented, it should be applied concomitantly.
There are currently more than 8 audit reports before the President. Some of them trapped key government officials within the UP-led administration. Why there has not been an immediate prosecution of those accused in the audit reports as it is being done with the former Speaker and three lawmakers?
Audit reports of the LTA, Governance Commission, Ministry of State, etc. accused senior government officials of chronic corruption. Sadly, no one is held accountable for the depletion of our state coffers.
As we proceed to prosecute individuals accused to have burnt the Capitol Building, delaying the prosecution of government officials for the commission of similar crimes, is a form of amputated justice. We should fight against wrongdoing in government without applying the “pick and choose” method.
Finally, Liberia’s law enforcement officers or judicial system will only be respected when the laws are applied evenly.
That’s why we call on the government to speed up with the investigation and give justice to the suspects. Delayed justice is denied justice!
