Government rejects Princess Cooper’s family’s request

The Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) say the Government of Liberia insists on conducting the autopsy which was initially requested by the family of the late Princess Cooper in order to clear all allegations and claims they have received over the scores of time about the cause of Princess’ death.

“We want to bring proper closure to this matter,” Deputy Information Minister Jarlawah A. Tonpo said while conducting a conference last week.

The Liberian Government says it has received a communication from the family of the late Princess Cooper, requesting the lifeless body of their daughter and at the same time asking for a peaceful burial.

The Ministry of Information says the late Princess’ family asked President George Manneh Weah for the lifeless body of their daughter Princess without an agreed sentiment of a second autopsy.

The Information Ministry press release says despite the initial agreement to provide a pathologist for the second autopsy, the family says it is ready to bury their daughter peacefully.

On the same day, the family made the proclamation, MICAT published a press release explaining their position.

But the ministry said the family’s decision is contrary to their initial agreement involving the family’s lawyer and some Civil Society Organizations for a second autopsy to be conducted by a pathologist of the family’s choice.

According to Tonpo, in other for the government  to keep up with Liberia Medical and Dental Association laws, the Philippine pathologist recommended by Princess’ family was asked to provide a credential and license, which according to medical standards will qualify him as a pathologist to conduct the autopsy,” but since he had not been heard from.”

“The Dr. was asked to submit a copy of his required license and document to the Liberia Medical and Dental Association for verification, he had not been heard from,” Minister Tonpo noted.

He said the Ministry of Justice has also made many attempts for the Philippines doctors to comply with their requests,” but it yields no result.” 

At the same time, he said the Princess Cooper family was duly informed about this through representative Dr. Abel Momo, their lawyer Cllr. Gongloe and the Liberia Council of Churches Bishop, Brown.

“Therefore, the Government makes it clear that their door is still open to bringing in any pathologists of the family’s will,” the release added.

According to MICAT, some people have already started to politicize the matter.