Monrovia, Liberia: In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, Jefferson Tamba Koijee, Secretary General of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), has accused the Liberian National Police (LNP) of unprofessional misconduct and politically motivated propaganda. His statement comes in response to the LNP release of an alleged doctored audio recording, which he claims is an attempt to implicate political activist Etheridge Thomas in the recent fire at the Capitol Building.
“This is not just an attack on one individual it is an attack on democracy and the rule of law,” Koijee stated in a press briefing. The LNP, under the leadership of Inspector General Gregory Coleman, has become a tool of political persecution rather than an institution of justice. We demand an independent international investigation into the police actions, including their handling of the Capitol Building fire.”
Allegations of Human Rights Violations and Police Corruption
Koijee calls for an investigation follows reports of 22 documented human rights violations under the current government, ranging from extrajudicial killings to police brutality and failures in state prosecution.
Among the most serious cases:
Amanda Nebo (April 14, 2024): Found dead near the Japanese Freeway under unclear circumstances.
James Kandy (July 1, 2024): A 17-year-old student fatally shot by police.
Hassan Jalloh (January 2025): A local Fulani businessman allegedly murdered by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), with no state prosecution.
A 15-year-old child (January 2025): Sodomized to death in Lofa, Voijama City, with no government response.
These crimes cannot be ignored, Koijee declared. The people of Liberia deserve answers. The LNP cannot continue to operate as a criminal enterprise, targeting political opponents while ignoring real threats to public safety.
Coleman Leadership Under Fire
Koijee further accused Coleman of reinstating individuals with questionable backgrounds into key positions of power. He pointed to the return of Johnny Bolar Dean, Assistant Commissioner for Crime Services, and Sam Ballah, Deputy Chief Investigator both of whom had previously been dismissed over allegations of corruption and misconduct.
The fact that these men were brought back into the police force is proof that the system is broken, he argued. We are dealing with a police force that has no interest in justice only in protecting the interests of those in power.
Demand for International Intervention
The CDC Secretary General has called on the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, and other international bodies to launch an independent inquiry into the LNP actions, particularly regarding the Capitol Building fire.
The regime is using law enforcement to settle political scores, he stated. Liberians must not be fooled by their tactics. We need an urgent, impartial investigation to expose the truth.
While the government has not officially responded to Koijee allegations, diplomatic sources suggest that embassies in Monrovia are closely monitoring the situation. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, are also reportedly reviewing recent reports of abuses.
As Liberia grapples with these serious allegations, the nation remains deeply divided. Whether justice will prevail or whether political tensions will escalate further remains to be seen.
