Gongloe calls for probe

By Lincoln G. Peters

Former Presidential Candidate and renowned Human Rights lawyer Cllr.  Tiawan Saye Gongloe is calling on the Government of Liberia to establish a Special Commission of Inquiry to investigate all suspicious and mysterious deaths of past officials. 

According to Cllr. Gongloe, such commission of Inquiry, when set up, will investigate suspicious deaths beginning from former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to President George M. Weah. 

Speaking recently in Monrovia, the Liberian People’s Party political leader said that doing so will help the Government of Liberia under the leadership of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to secure the confidence of international companies. 

“We want to say that for the past fifteen to twenty years, there have been suspicious deaths in Liberia. Government investigated some and we are suspicious about government’s findings. I strongly believe that the government should go ahead to establish a Special Commission of Inquiry to investigate all suspicious deaths in the country. This includes from former President Sirleaf to Weah”, he noted.

Cllr. Gongloe pointed out that under the administration of former President Sirleaf, there were many mysterious and suspicious deaths especially, Harris Greaves, and so it’s important that those cases are investigated to bring those suspicions to rest.

He indicated that also under the administration of former President Weah, there were too many mysterious deaths, from auditors to Princess Cooper and three missing boys, who went working for St. Moses Funeral Service Chief Executive Officer. 

“I’m calling on the government to do so because with that I believe we can stop rumors mongering. Let us find the truth.  Government can find money and get the best forensic investigator, so we can be comfortable with each other’s. As we speak, former government officials are having all those rumors and gossips which do not help us. It undermines our unity and reconciliation”, Cllr. Gongloe cautions. 

According to him, the struggle for what is right is good, but when people are in position they should talk about it.

He further indicated that Liberia’s true reconciliation and happiness can only be expressed when those investigations are done and findings are made available to the public. 

He notes that Liberia had a good market and better law but because of those suspicious deaths, nobody had ever thought of bringing genuine investment here, something, he says has caused lower investment and investors in the country. 

Meanwhile, Cllr. Gongloe on Monday, February 19, 2024, during the official taking over of the newly appointed Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Dr. Emmanuel Urey-Yarkpawolo, extolled President Boakai for the appointment, of the guy, who was his (Gongloe’s) running mate during the 2023 election.

“We want to thank President Boakai for the appointment of my Vice President of the LPP. We know that there are many appointments to come but this is an openness and integrity to the team. We believe that his presence in this government will boost trust, and confidence and improve our sector based on his expertise”, he assures. Editing by Jonathan Browne