Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia (EFFL) President Emmanuel D. Gonquio is calling on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to suspend Liberia National Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman, accusing the police leadership of failing to provide the level of accountability needed to confront Liberia’s growing drug crisis.
Gonquio argues that the government’s decision to suspend several senior security officials should not stop at subordinate officers, particularly when some of those being sanctioned are allegedly close confidants of the Police Inspector General.
According to the EFFL leader, the circumstances surrounding the suspension of senior security officials have created serious questions about leadership within Liberia’s security sector and demand scrutiny at the highest level.
He said President Boakai should consider suspending IG Coleman to allow for an impartial investigation into the leadership of the police and its handling of matters connected to the country’s drug crisis.
Gonquio also raised questions about the Liberia National Police’s reported receipt of a Starlink internet system, which he alleged was presented by members of an alleged drug cartel.
He called for the circumstances surrounding the reported donation to be thoroughly investigated, arguing that any connection between individuals linked to drug trafficking and state security institutions could present a serious ethical and national security concern.
The EFFL president referenced the suspension of the former Officer-in-Charge of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), arguing that similar ethical standards should apply across the security sector.
He questioned why an official could be suspended over alleged ethical concerns while the Inspector General of Police remains in office despite what he described as broader questions surrounding police leadership.
“If the previous OIC of the LDEA can be suspended on such ethical issues, then the same should be done with the IG,” Gonquio said.
“Security Sector Cannot Investigate Itself”
Gonquio’s strongest criticism centers on the government’s reliance on existing security institutions to investigate Liberia’s escalating drug crisis.
He argues that the institutions currently responsible for investigating drug trafficking allegations are themselves part of the security sector facing public scrutiny.
For that reason, he wants the government to bring in international investigators to conduct an independent investigation rather than relying solely on Liberia’s existing security architecture.
According to Gonquio, an external investigation would help eliminate potential conflicts of interest and give the public greater confidence in the outcome of any probe.
He maintained that the entire security sector involved in investigating the drug crisis should be subjected to scrutiny, rather than focusing exclusively on individual officials.
The EFFL leader’s position comes amid growing public concern over drug trafficking and the ability of Liberia’s security institutions to effectively investigate and prosecute those allegedly involved in the trade.
Gonquio is therefore urging President Boakai to take what he describes as decisive action by suspending the Police Inspector General and commissioning an independent investigation involving international investigators.
However, the allegations raised by Gonquio including claims concerning the Starlink system and alleged connections between security officials and drug-trafficking actors have not been independently established. The relevant security authorities would need to respond to and clarify the claims.
As of press time, there was no immediate public response from Inspector General Gregory Coleman regarding Gonquio’s allegations.
