MONROVIA – At a moment when Liberia’s democratic institutions are under renewed scrutiny, one of the country’s oldest political parties has revived a long-simmering national debate over accountability, impunity, and the value of human life. The Liberian People’s Party (LPP) says unresolved deaths of public servants and citizens—many linked to sensitive auditing and security functions—have eroded public trust and cast a shadow over governance. Framing the issue as both a moral and constitutional crisis, the party argues that silence and delay threaten national cohesion and international credibility. Its call goes beyond routine police probes, urging an independent, time-bound commission to confront painful questions that successive governments have left unanswered. The Analyst reports.
The Liberian People’s Party (LPP) has issued a strong appeal to the Government of Liberia to reopen and thoroughly investigate a series of unexplained and mysterious deaths involving auditors, security personnel, and other Liberians, warning that continued inaction risks deepening public mistrust and entrenching a culture of impunity.
Speaking at a press conference held Tuesday at the party’s national headquarters along the Bye-Pass in Monrovia, the LPP described the matter as a “major national concern” touching on the safety, security, and fundamental rights of all Liberians.
Party leaders said the state has a sacred duty to protect its citizens and to ensure that deaths occurring under suspicious circumstances are investigated transparently and professionally.
Central to the party’s demands is a renewed investigation into the deaths of auditors Gifty Lama, Albert Peters, and George F. Fanbutu, all linked to the Liberia Revenue Authority.
According to the LPP, the circumstances surrounding their deaths remain unclear and troubling, particularly given the sensitive nature of their professional responsibilities. The party said the lack of credible conclusions in these cases has raised serious concerns about the security of public servants and the integrity of state institutions.
The LPP further called for comprehensive inquiries into the deaths of Emmanuel Barten Nyeswua, former Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency, and Melvin Earley, an officer of the Executive Protection Service.
Additional cases cited include the disappearance of AFL Sergeant Bobby Manneh; the death of Harry Greaves Jr.; the murders of John Hilary Tubman, Madame Victoria Zayzay, and Richard Tolbert III; and the 2025 death of Yakpawolo Moisemai while in police custody. Party officials stressed that the list may not be exhaustive and warned that many other unexplained cases may have gone unrecorded or unresolved.
In its statement, the LPP urged the administration of President Joseph Boakai to immediately initiate what it described as a full, independent, and impartial investigation into all such cases. The party emphasized that any credible process must be insulated from political interference, protect the integrity of evidence, and make its findings public. “Liberia cannot build a credible future while there are unresolved questions about its past,” the party said.
Going further, the LPP recommended the establishment of an Independent Commission of Inquiry with a six-month mandate to investigate the mysterious deaths and disappearances.
The party proposed that the commission be headed by a distinguished lawyer of unquestionable character and include a broad cross-section of society, including lawyers, academics, women’s groups, youth and student representatives, trade unions, and marketing associations.
According to the LPP, the commission should also provide robust witness protection mechanisms to encourage citizens with information to come forward without fear of retaliation.
Party leaders argued that such safeguards are essential in cases involving powerful interests or sensitive state institutions.
The LPP said it firmly believes that the creation of an independent commission would demonstrate the government’s commitment to fighting impunity and affirm, both domestically and internationally, that every Liberian life matters.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” the statement declared, urging the government to act decisively and without further delay.
Party officials recalled that the call for accountability and independent investigations into suspicious deaths formed a key pillar of the LPP’s campaign platform during the 2023 presidential and general elections.
They noted that the party supported the Unity Party in the second round of those elections, arguing that its current demands are consistent with promises made to the electorate rather than a departure from past positions.
Describing the issue as a moral obligation to the nation and the world, the LPP said Liberia has both a constitutional and ethical responsibility to uncover the truth behind these deaths.
Justice, the party argued, is owed not only to the families of the victims but also to the broader Liberian public and the international community, which expects transparency and respect for human rights.
The party concluded with a call to the Liberian people to rise above political, ethnic, and regional divisions and unite in demanding justice, accountability, and respect for human life. “Government is a place to serve, not to steal,” the statement read, adding that a better Liberia remains possible if the nation confronts the unresolved shadows of its recent history.