MONROVIA – THE WITNESS Protection Agency (WPA) has formally extended full protective cover to Mr. Oscar Brown, Airport Security Manager for Investigation and Intelligence at Roberts International Airport (RIA), after Brown publicly disclosed that his life had been threatened in connection with the seizure and ongoing investigation into approximately 237.6 kilograms of cocaine valued at US$19.2 million at RIA. The WPA has simultaneously commended the voluntary appearance of Mr. Paul J. King, General Manager of GLS, before the Joint Security Task Force, while calling on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to take severe action against persons found responsible for unauthorized disclosures of sensitive case information. THE ANALYST reports.
Brown’s Public Disclosure
Speaking on the radio program Spoon Talk, Brown disclosed that he had received credible warnings against returning to Liberia following a training seminar abroad, indicating that persons had been posted at the Airport to arrest and eliminate him. He confirmed that while he remains alive and in good health, he does not currently consider himself safe. The WPA took note of these disclosures with grave concern and moved to activate formal protection measures.
Full Protection Formally Extended
The WPA stated without reservation that Brown and all other cooperating persons connected to the investigation are entitled to full protection under Sections 4(1)(b) and 4(2)(a), (b), and (d) of the Witness Protection Act of 2021. With the approval of the Ministry of Justice, the WPA has initiated physical protection, legal assistance, and relocation support for cooperating persons. The Agency formally extended to Brown full physical protection, psychosocial support, legal assistance, and welfare services upon his acceptance to cooperate. The WPA called on Brown to immediately contact the Agency at: Email: witnessprotectionagency@wpa.gov.lr or info@wpa.gov.lr; Tel: +231 777167272 / +231776756041; Website: www.wpa.gov.lr.
The offer of protection is not limited to Brown alone. The WPA affirmed that the same protection extends to his immediate family members who may feel threatened as a direct consequence of his testimony. That protection, the Agency stated, is available to any and every cooperating person who feels threatened, intimidated, or endangered as a result of a lawfully protected disclosure made in connection with the ongoing US$19.2 million cocaine investigation or any matter of similar nature, consistent with Section 4(2)(a) and (b) of the Witness Protection Act.
King’s Voluntary Appearance Commended
The WPA acknowledged and appreciated the decision of Paul J. King, General Manager of GLS, to voluntarily appear before the Joint Security Task Force in connection with the ongoing investigation. The Agency described King’s action as reflecting respect for the rule of law and confidence in the Liberian justice system, and noted that his voluntary cooperation is significant and expected to assist authorities in establishing the full facts and circumstances surrounding the matter.
The WPA commended King’s cooperation and encouraged Brown, Mr. Emmanuel Zeon, and all other individuals who may possess relevant information or have any connection to matters under investigation to follow the same positive example by making themselves available to the National Joint Security and cooperating fully with lawful investigative processes.
The Agency stated that such cooperation strengthens accountability, promotes public confidence in the administration of justice, and contributes to the effective enforcement of the law.
Leaks Condemned; Presidential Action Demanded
With grave institutional concern, the WPA observed the unauthorized sharing of sensitive information related to the investigation on social media and other platforms. The Agency expressed dismay at this unprofessional conduct and called on the National Joint Security Task Force to investigate the source or sources and circumstances of these leaks.
The WPA further called on President Boakai to take severe action against any individual found to be involved, warning that such conduct directly undermines the national fight against drug trafficking and corruption and endangers the lives of witnesses and whistleblowers whose safety depends entirely on the confidentiality of the investigation.
Legislative Framework Cited
The WPA assured the Liberian public that Liberia’s criminal justice system has made significant and deliberate strides in recent years, particularly with the enactment and operationalization of key legislation, including the Whistleblower Protection Act of 2021 and the Act establishing the Witness Protection Agency.
These legislative instruments were enacted in keeping with Liberia’s commitment to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), specifically Chapter III, Articles 32 and 33, which call on state parties to incorporate appropriate measures to provide protection for witnesses, experts, and victims against any unjustified treatment for any person who reports in good faith and on reasonable grounds to the competent authorities.
The WPA reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to upholding the protection of Brown, Zeon, and others, including their immediate families, as may be required in the interest of justice.
The statement was issued by Abraham R. Sirleaf, Acting Assistant Manager for Public Affairs of the Witness Protection Agency, headquartered on Sekou Toure Avenue, Mamba Point, Monrovia.