Simeon Freeman declared a free man

Liberian businessman-cum politician Simeon Freeman, who went into hiding in February after the Liberia National Police invited him to provide clarity on his assertion that the Government of Liberia had listed several politicians for elimination, has been declared a free man.

“By the decision of the Government of the Republic of Liberia, consistent with its policy of reconciliation and national healing, the police have been instructed by the Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice/Attorney General Republic of Liberia, to drop all perceived claims and charges against Mr. Freeman, and declare that Mr. Freeman is no longer wanted for questioning on concerns growing out of his utterances that the Government of the Republic of Liberia had a list of politicians to eliminate”, a press release issued late Tuesday, 31 May by the police reads.

According to the release, Mr. Simeon Freeman is a free man and he should go about his normal activities without hindrances, and molestation from any quarters. “All other security officers are advised that Mr. Freeman is no longer wanted by the police.”

Addressing a press conference at his residence early February on the suspicious death of the ex-managing director of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) Mr. Harry A. Greaves, Jr. whose disfigured body was discovered ashore near the Executive Mansion on Capitol Hill on January 31, 2016 Mr. Freeman claimed he had information the Government was in possession of a list containing names of top politicians to be assassinated.

He also claimed the Government masterminded the death of Mr. Greaves. But autopsy conducted by pathologists from the United States hired by Liberian authorities say Greaves died by drowning. The LNP subsequently invited Freeman, who is leader of the opposition party Movement for Progressive Change or MPC for questioning, but declined to appear so a search warrant was obtained and police deployed at his residence in Brewerville outside Monrovia for days but withdrew amidst public condemnation. Mr. Freeman, dealer of satellite television DStv and a water company had since been in hiding, maintaining a conspicuous silence.   

By Jonathan Browne