Pres. Weah then in office
MONROVIA – In opposition, officials of the current President Joseph Nyumah Boakai administration reportedly saw and identified governance and administrative and leadership loops and foibles in the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government of former President George Weah, using same against it in the tightly-fought 2023 elections.
Of the many foibles and loops pinpointed, proliferation of drug and other narcotic substances was blamed on officials, accusing officials of been the masterminds of tones of drug and narcotic substances that entered the bailiwick of the Republic.
But with just two years in the driver’s seat, the very fingers it once pointed at Weah and his former officials are now being directed at them evidenced by the controversy surrounding the recently seized $19 million worth of cocaine at the Roberts International Airport, those with knowledge of the issue said.
They point to the upward trend of the controversy as the secrecy with which the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) is conducting the investigation into the serious national issue, especially the failure to disclose the identities of individuals it claimed to have apprehended.
LDEA announced that it has detained six individuals in connection to the RIA drug saga. Unverified reports pointing to some administration high-ups.
The famous Yekek Kolubah page painted a bleak picture of the matter, naming known and unknown individuals as potential importers of the drug.
Under the CDC administration, the $100 million dollars drug case made airways as well provoked national debate and criticisms over the government’s handling of the case.
The government was accused of not demonstrating transparency in the case of international dimension after the drugs were burned openly at the Barclay Training Center and those arrested, charged and convicted were released under what opposition figures called “dubious circumstances.”
They claimed the 4G method was intended to hide the real truth and shield other potential accomplices to the importation and ownership of the drugs.
With reports of high-ups connection to the $19 million worth of cocaine, critics and opposition elements are speaking with higher tune, raising serious concerns about sincerity, transparency and accountability – similar trend the Weah administration endured and eventually paid the price for at the polls.
Those with knowledge of the issue told this paper that the government is now under obligation to do it right, to contrast the Weah time handling of drug-related matters.
“Had this happened under a George Weah administration, they would have made a national chorus,” said opposition figures. “In fact, they would have insinuated that Weah himself was connected to it.”
“This is a matter of pointing fingers at some point in time, and the very fingers come back to you pointed in your face,” remarked another.
Apart from the drug scenario, there are others with the views that issue cuts across the entire operations of the government, accusing them of pioneering what they once called “failures and mistakes” under the former administration.
Tension builds up: Dillion weighs in
As tension intensifies, supporters of the government who somehow feel embarrassed, have weighed in on matter.
Senator Abraham Darius Dillon has called on called the LDEA to provide an update on the ongoing investigation into the reported US$19 million drug seizure recently uncovered at Liberia’s main international airport.
Like many others, Sen. Dillon expressed concern over what he described as the slow pace of public disclosure surrounding the case, joining growing calls for transparency and accountability in the handling of one of the country’s largest reported drug busts.
According to the Senator, the matter has become “embarrassingly concerning,” noting that nearly a week has passed since the LDEA announced the discovery and seizure of the large consignment of suspected narcotics.
He further questioned the agency’s decision to withhold the identities of individuals reportedly considered “persons of interest” in the investigation.
“Since this matter is already public knowledge and was made public by the LDEA itself, I will take the liberty to raise some concerns that are being widely discussed by the public,” Dillon stated.
Among the questions raised by the lawmaker were: Who are the persons of interest under investigation? Why are their identities being withheld? Why has there been a delay in publicly naming them several days after the initial announcement? And under what circumstances are the names of persons of interest withheld in matters of such significant public concern?
The Senator warned that the absence of regular public updates is fueling speculation and misinformation.
“LDEA, do you now see that without daily public updates, your action or inaction is generating speculation, twisting of facts, spinning of narratives, and finger-pointing?” he asked.
Senator Dillon urged the agency to provide a comprehensive update on the status of the investigation and the progress being made toward identifying and prosecuting those responsible.
“LDEA, you need to speak up now and provide clear updates on the progress being made in this very grave matter, so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice and made to face the full weight of the law,” he emphasized.
The lawmaker further indicated that should the agency fail to provide satisfactory information, the matter could be formally raised before the Liberian Senate.
“Alternatively, we will be left with the duty, without fear or favor, to bring this matter before the Senate next week to compel the appropriate and necessary actions to ensure clarity, accountability, and justice,” Dillon concluded on his official Facebook page.
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