“Police Should be Persons of Interest” -CDC Officials Declare as 2 Lawmakers Invited for Questioning

MONROVIA – Amid two prominent lawmakers of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) being invited by the Liberia National Police (LNP) yesterday Wednesday as persons of interest into the burning of the Capitol Building, some high-profile officials of former President George Weah’s administration are concerned that the police investigation is selective and biased, and that Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman himself and the entire LNP should be declared persons of interest because it was the police who had the Capitol Building on complete lockdown when it got burned on December 18, 2024.

Leading the barrage of suspicions about the police selective biases in the Capitol Building burning investigation, former Maritime Commissioner Lenn Eugene Nagbe, who accompanied lawmakers Abu Bana Kamara and Dixon Sebo yesterday to the LNP Headquarters on Capitol Bye Pass, said although the CDC would love to see the investigation come to a logical conclusion, it is concerning whether the police will follow the legal process in their investigation.

“It’s not about whether I trust the police or not, It is about whether the police will follow the legal process, from this investigation all the way to the court. All of the CDC members that have been arrested and all of those that have been incarcerated have been cooperating. It means that we are a law-abiding party.

“As a political party we believe in the rule of law. We have an issue with the way the police proceeded because we thought they would have done a holistic investigation. If you can remember our Chairman Janga Kowo had a press conference and he called for a holistic investigation of all parties, those who were associated with the incident including those who had the key to the building, those who had control of the building.

“I want the real culprit to be apprehended because it’s an unlawful and illegal act. This is why we insist that it should not be a political investigation or process. Even before the police could investigate, the president of the republic came and said it was arson, prior to the determination made by the police. So, is that not a political statement?” Mr. Nagbe said, when he addressed the media in front of the LNP headquarters.

“I don’t trust the police” – former Representative Acarous Gray

For his part, former Montserrado County District #8 lawmaker Moses Acarous Gray did not hide his feelings about the Liberia National Police and their leadership, noting however that Representatives Karama and Seboe are not indicted for any crimes but are considered persons of interest.

“They are people of interest, not indictees. But I thought the police too should be people of interest because they were manning the Capitol Building. I don’t trust the police because the police are dominated by Unity partisans. You sat down there, and they burnt the Capitol Building under your control. Gregory Coleman is a Unity Party police officer,” former lawmaker Gray blasted.

Gregory Coleman is suspect #1 – Alvin Wesseh

As for CDC stalwart Alvin Wesseh, he bluntly told the media that he is unsatisfied with the way the police is handling the investigation.

“There is not nothing to be satisfied with here. Trust what justice system? You cannot trust the perpetrators. We have declared Mr. Gregory Coleman as suspect #1 because he deployed the Liberia National Police prior to the arson attack. He orchestrated the whole diabolical attempt to undermine the reputation of some of our lawmakers.

“Everything you see here is a bluff. The police are on a political bluff. Gregory Coleman is still masquerading in arrogance. He must be warned decisively by the Congress for Democratic Change. We have come here to protect our lawmakers. But when the trumpet is blown finally, the CDC will decisively act against Gregory Coleman. There were so many lawmakers that were involved. Why select a few groups of people?” Mr. Wesseh wondered.

“My Character is clean” – Rep. Karama

For his part Representative Abu Kamara called for calm, emphasizing his innocence about the burning of the Capitol Building because his character speaks for him.

“We just need to remain civil. People know who Abu Kamara is. I have served in this country with diligence, respect and honesty. And I always say to people, the wrong thing to do is where you go to work every day to be a part of anything wrongful. Those perpetrators will be brought to justice. We are not involved with anything of such. It’s not part of my character. When you go to other countries, when they investigate people, they start from their character. I have lived here in peace with no trouble.

“This crisis can be resolved only by legislators. We need to sit together in a space and know what is right and move forward. The police said they will get back to our counsel and ourselves,” Representative Kamara said confidently.

Efforts to contact the Police Commissioner proved futile up to press time.