MONROVIA, Liberia — The Liberian People’s Party (LPP) is calling on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to establish an independent commission of inquiry into Liberia’s ongoing cocaine crisis and require Police Inspector General Gregory O. W. Coleman to recuse himself from related investigations.
In a press release issued Wednesday, August 19, the LPP said Coleman’s reported public statement that senior government officials were aware of or connected to the cocaine operation raises serious questions that require independent scrutiny.
The party stressed that its call does not constitute an allegation of criminal wrongdoing against Coleman, but is intended to protect the integrity and credibility of the investigation.
The LPP said Coleman could potentially be a material witness because of information he reportedly possesses concerning senior officials.
It urged the proposed commission to determine what Coleman knew, when he received the information, what evidence supported it, and what actions were taken afterward.
The party also called for the investigation of possible obstruction, political interference, intelligence failures and institutional weaknesses surrounding the cocaine cases.
The LPP further urged the government to protect whistleblowers, witnesses, journalists and investigators from retaliation, while ensuring that anyone against whom credible evidence establishes wrongdoing is prosecuted, regardless of rank or political affiliation.
