MONROVIA – As Liberia confronts one of its largest transnational narcotics investigations, public demand for swift accountability has intensified alongside growing speculation across traditional and social media platforms. While citizens increasingly seek answers about those responsible for recent record-breaking cocaine seizures, legal authorities caution that public confidence in justice ultimately depends upon investigations grounded in verifiable evidence rather than rumor or political commentary. The challenge, officials argue, is to balance transparency with due process without compromising the integrity of criminal prosecutions. Against that backdrop, Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to pursuing every suspect connected to the drug network while warning against what he termed “trial by media, as THE ANALYST’S George C. Flomo reports.
Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh has reaffirmed the Government of Liberia’s commitment to conducting what he described as one of the country’s most significant investigations into transnational drug trafficking while cautioning the public against convicting individuals through media speculation instead of credible evidence.
Speaking Thursday during the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism’s regular press briefing, the Attorney General assured Liberians that the government remains unwavering in its determination to identify every individual connected to the country’s ongoing drug trafficking investigation and ensure that those found culpable are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“We remain fully committed to identifying every individual involved and ensuring they are brought before the law,” Cllr. Tweh declared.
The Justice Minister disclosed that earlier Thursday he held a follow-up meeting with the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy, during which both parties reviewed progress in the ongoing investigation.
He further announced that agents of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are currently in Liberia working alongside Liberian authorities as part of the investigation.
According to him, the presence of the American investigators demonstrates the confidence the United States Government has placed in Liberia’s handling of the case.
“We can confidently say that we are working closely with the United States Government, and they have complete trust in our investigation,” he stated.
Evidence, Not Speculation
Minister Tweh, however, expressed concern over what he described as the growing tendency of individuals to publicly accuse others of criminal conduct on radio talk shows, social media platforms and other public forums without presenting supporting evidence.
He emphasized that the Ministry of Justice neither investigates nor arrests individuals merely because their names have been mentioned publicly.
“The Ministry of Justice does not build criminal cases on rumors, speculation or political commentary. We build cases on facts, evidence and the law,” he stressed.
According to the Attorney General, permitting allegations circulated on radio or social media to automatically trigger arrests would destroy innocent people’s reputations while undermining the credibility of Liberia’s criminal justice system.
“Our responsibility is to determine whether there is credible information that can be independently verified and whether the available evidence establishes probable cause for investigative or prosecutorial action,” he explained.
Cllr. Tweh outlined the government’s investigative approach, noting that where credible evidence exists, authorities will investigate thoroughly; where probable cause is established, arrests will follow; and where sufficient evidence supports prosecution, criminal charges will be filed.
Conversely, he maintained that the government will not prosecute individuals merely to satisfy public opinion where evidence fails to establish criminal liability.
“That is not how we conduct business,” he asserted.
Freedom Carries Responsibility
The Attorney General reminded Liberians that although freedom of expression is constitutionally protected, the exercise of that right carries corresponding responsibilities.
He cautioned that publicly accusing individuals of serious criminal conduct without factual support neither advances law enforcement efforts nor strengthens ongoing investigations.
Instead, he said, such conduct unfairly damages reputations and could expose those making false allegations to legal consequences.
Minister Tweh therefore encouraged citizens possessing genuine information relating to the investigation to submit it directly to the Ministry of Justice, the Joint Security Task Force, the Liberia National Police or other competent security institutions rather than relying on public speculation.
He assured the public that all credible information received would be handled professionally and confidentially, with appropriate action taken wherever supported by verifiable evidence.
The Justice Minister further noted that individuals who may lack confidence in local institutions also have the option of providing credible information to Liberia’s international law-enforcement partners currently assisting with the investigation.
No One above The Law
Cllr. Tweh emphasized that the Boakai administration has already demonstrated through previous investigations involving public officials and members of the security sector that no individual enjoys immunity where evidence establishes criminal wrongdoing.
“If the evidence points to any government official, regardless of rank or position, this government will not hesitate to investigate, arrest where appropriate, file charges, and prosecute,” he declared.
He urged Liberians to allow investigators to perform their duties free from undue political pressure or public speculation, stressing that successful prosecutions depend upon professionally gathered evidence capable of withstanding judicial scrutiny.
“Our objective is to build strong cases that will survive in court and result in lawful convictions where the evidence establishes criminal responsibility,” he emphasized.
Concluding his remarks, the Attorney General called on all Liberians to support the rule of law by sharing facts rather than rumors and allowing due process to take its course.
He reiterated that justice is achieved not through public accusation but through credible evidence, impartial investigations and the fair application of Liberia’s laws.
The Justice Minister assured the nation that the government remains determined to pursue everyone connected to the country’s expanding drug trafficking networks, insisting that no political office, social status or public influence will shield anyone from accountability where credible evidence establishes criminal involvement.