MONROVIA — A dispute over the arrest and subsequent stand-down of Monrovia Central Prison (MCP) Deputy Superintendent for Operations, Jackson K. Kolako, has intensified, with Kolako accusing a senior official in the Ministry of Justice of ordering his arrest for personal interests, while the Ministry has rejected the allegation.
Kolako said he was arrested on August 1 while on duty at the MCP after questioning the presence of individuals claiming to be National Security Agency (NSA) agents who allegedly sought access to an inmate connected to the ongoing multi-million-dollar drug investigation.
He alleged that Siafa Bahn Kemokai, Chief of Staff in the Office of the Justice Minister, personally ordered his arrest after he raised concerns about prison security procedures. Kolako also said he was detained at Liberia National Police headquarters until August 7 and accused of links to drug cartels, allegations he denies.
However, the Ministry of Justice, in a statement Sunday, August 9, clarified that Kemokai did not independently initiate the investigation or personally decide to arrest Kolako.
According to the Ministry, the arrest directive came from Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. Oswald N. Tweh following information received during an ongoing NSA investigation. It said Kemokai merely acted to implement the directive.
The Ministry said investigators received information that Kolako had interacted with the inmate before the attempted interview and that the inmate later told investigators he felt intimidated by Kolako.
It also acknowledged intelligence concerning alleged financial interactions between Kolako and an individual outside the prison, while stressing that the allegations remain under investigation and have not been established as facts.
The Ministry said Kolako’s stand-down is not a finding of guilt or final disciplinary action but a measure pending completion of the investigation.
It warned that no officer, regardless of rank or position, should obstruct or compromise a lawful national security investigation, while emphasizing that allegations alone do not establish guilt.
The NSA is expected to complete its investigation before authorities determine further action against Kolako.
