Sinoe County Senator Augustine Chea is calling for an independent investigation into ongoing drug case, claiming questions surrounding the involvement of top security officials could weaken public confidence.
Chea said the calls for an impartial investigation should not be viewed as political attacks or opposition propaganda, but as a demand for truth and accountability.
“The growing calls for an impartial investigation into the drugs saga should not be dismissed as partisan or opposition-driven. They are patriotic calls for truth, accountability, and transparency,” Chea wrote.
His comments follow the decision by Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency Officer-in-Charge Mr. Biago to step aside amid the controversy. Chea questioned whether other senior security officials whose institutions may have a direct or indirect connection to the matter should also recuse themselves.
“Mr. Biago, the LDEA Officer-in-Charge, has been forced to step aside. What about the Police Inspector General and other officials whose institutions or offices may have a direct or indirect connection to the matter?” he asked.
Chea said officials who may face conflicts of interest should not wait until evidence points directly to them before stepping aside.
“Where there are legitimate concerns about conflicts of interest or the credibility of the investigative process, the patriotic thing to do is to step aside and allow an independent and impartial investigation to take its course,” he said.
Calls for Officials to ‘Clean Their Own House’
The senator also accused some officials of attempting to shift public attention toward opposition politicians rather than addressing concerns within the security sector.
“Instead of addressing these potential conflicts of interest, there appears to be a diversionary tactic aimed at shifting public attention toward opposition figures and finding convenient scapegoats,” Chea said.
He added: “Clean your own house first before pointing fingers at others.”
Chea also questioned what has happened to individuals reportedly identified by a drug cartel as having links to its alleged operations in Liberia.
He said those named should be considered for investigation if evidence supports such action, while stressing that being investigated does not amount to being guilty.
“The presumption of innocence is sacred. But so is the duty to follow evidence wherever it leads. A person can be investigated without being presumed guilty,” he wrote.
The senator warned against selective investigations, saying no individual should be protected because of political connections, official position or proximity to those in power.
“What we cannot accept is selective scrutiny, where some are pursued aggressively- even accusing opposition figures- while others are shielded by influence, position, or proximity to power,” Chea said.
‘There Must Be No Sacred Cows’
Chea said investigators should follow every credible lead, protect evidence and remove any conflicts that could affect the credibility of the investigation.
“There must be no sacred cows. Every credible lead must be pursued without hesitation. Evidence must be preserved. Conflicts of interest must be removed. And all relevant institutions must submit to scrutiny,” he said.
He said the purpose of an independent investigation should be to establish the facts, not to protect or punish particular individuals.
“The goal is not to protect or punish anyone, but to uncover the truth. If officials are innocent, they will be vindicated. If wrongdoing exists, it must be exposed,” Chea said.
The senator ended his statement with a direct appeal to officials who may have concerns about their involvement in the matter.
“Do the patriotic thing: Step aside voluntarily. I’m sure many of you will remember the familiar phrase from 1985: ‘Move or be removed.’”
Chea’s statement comes amid continued public debate over Liberia’s handling of major drug investigations and growing demands for transparency from government and security institutions.
The allegations referenced in the senator’s statement have not been established in court. Those accused remain entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.
