“Govt. Cannot Terrify Us!” -CDC Chairman Kowo Barks; As Activist Martin Kollie Decries Police Brutality

MONROVIA – Minutes after his release from the Monrovia Central Prison on Saturday, June 7, following his unprovoked manhandling by 102 of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) National Chairman Attorney Janga Kowo says he remains unperturbed by the police brutality meted against him and other peacefully assembled Liberians who gathered in solidarity with their arrested political leaders. Speaking with journalists in Central Monrovia following his release from police detention, Chairman Kowo openly accused President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of attempting to derail the fragile peace in the country, noting however, that the Government of Liberia cannot terrify the opposition; The Analyst reports.

“We are not afraid of the government. Government cannot terrify us. The government cannot intimidate us. As a matter of fact, we are law abiding citizens of the Republic of Liberia; and also, we have an obligation to defend the rights of our members.

“We have been exhibiting this peaceful posture because this country went through 14 years of war. We expect that the Unity Party government will take seize of the opportunity to consolidate the peace. But the latest action of the government has the propensity to create chaos, to undermine the fragile peace of the country. The arrest of any citizen in the country must be based probable cause. The detention of Hon. Koffa and others, these people are the latest political prisoners in the Republic of Liberia. And so, we were coming to show solidarity with them when we were bundled up and taken to the police headquarters. We think it was a peaceful assembly, and so we don’t understand why the police got heavy-handed,” Chairman Kowo lamented.

Dressed in a ruffled white tshirt and black pants, the CDC Chairman would be earlier seen in a viral video clip as he was being manhandled by the Liberia National Police riot squad whose men flogged, handcuffed and bundled him into one of their riot pickups.

“We are law abiding citizens. We do have the right to free movement in the streets of the country. We want the government to know that what keep the peace in the country are not the guns, not the batons, and not the tear gas. It is the will of the people, the civility of the people that keeps the peace. And we are telling you that the government is going beyond the red line,” Chairman Kowo admonished.

When queried by journalists regarding accusation from the LNP 102 that he Kowo was arrested when he attempted to obstruct justice, the CDC National Chairman said the statement is absolutely untrue. “We did nothing that shows we were trying to obstruct justice. We have the right to use the streets, we have the right to free movement, and none of our members were being violent”.

Disclosing further plans for his party’s pending political actions; Chairman Kowo said his party is in the process of consultations.

“Definitely, we are consulting. There is a mass meeting that is being called at the National Headquarter. We want to assure the citizens of the country that you have to now stand up because the government is definitely not headed for peace. And so, we have to take our destiny into our own hands,” Chairman Kowo said.

Exiled Activist Condemns Kowo’s manhandling, Cautions Liberians on Arson Case

Meanwhile, an exiled Liberian activist has alarmed over the manhandling of CDC National Chairman Janga Kowo, while calling on all sides to exercise maximum restraint.

Stating his condemnation on June 7, 2025 in a press release, exiled Activist and Chief Convener of the Voices from Exile (VEx), Martin K.N. Kollie, in clear and categorical terms condemned the police for the brutal handling of the National Chairman of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change, Atty. Janga Kowo.

“Even while Atty. Kowo lifted his hands up, the force used by the police was excessive. This is unacceptable and the police should desist. While we encourage State Security to enforce law, order, and public safety throughout Liberia, we caution them to refrain from using lethal force against aggrieved citizens and unarmed protesters. It is the right of all Liberians, including opposition political parties and politicians, to protest in a peaceful manner. We call on the Government of President Joseph Boakai to protect this right at all times. Attempting to crack down on it is a strategic mistake that tends to incentivize anti-democratic precedents.

“We admonish all Liberians, including aggrieved citizens and opposition partisans/politicians to exercise their rights, including rights to free speech, to assemble and protest, but in a peaceful manner. Beyond political differences and dissents, we are all Liberians, and we must do nothing to undermine the peace, stability, security, and prosperity of our nation,” activist Kollie admonished.

He also called on Liberians to allow justice take its course as it relates to the alleged culprits of the Capitol Building arson attack.

“We believe that any alleged culprit(s) found guilty through a Court of competent jurisdiction should fully account within the ambit of the law for such an attack on the seat of our democracy.

“We acknowledge the government’s decision to pursue all alleged culprits in line with the law. Yesterday, we watched police Inspector General Gregory Coleman announcing charges, including arson and attempted murder, against former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and four other Lawmakers.

“We call on the government through the Ministry of Justice to accord the former Speaker and all those accused due process. The principles of fairness, justice, and speedy trial must be applied to everyone that has been accused and charged so far. The accused persons in question remain innocent until their guilt can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a Court of competent jurisdiction.

“We want to caution all opposition political parties and politicians to refrain from every act of turning a legal matter into politics. Any attempt aimed at politicizing this case is a recipe for public disorder and an evasion of justice and accountability.  It is time for all parties to allow the law to work without interference, obstruction, false alarm, and prejudicial insinuations.  We call on all sides to exercise maximum restraint and calm,” the VEx press release indicated.