Monrovia—The Liberia Nationwide Police (LNP) has formally charged Madam Zainab Bah and her husband, Ibrahim Jalloh, in reference to the facility theft case that attracted widespread public consideration following a viral arrest video in Monrovia.
By: Yawah Y. Jaivey
In accordance with the LNP, Madam Bah faces prices of easy assault and resisting arrest, whereas Mr. Jalloh has been charged with energy theft for allegedly tampering with a Liberia Electrical energy Company (LEC) meter.
The incident occurred on July 22, 2025, within the Newport Road Group, Central Monrovia, throughout a routine energy inspection by LEC officers. The confrontation escalated right into a bodily altercation, which was captured on video and circulated extensively on social media.
In an announcement issued Friday, the LNP reaffirmed its dedication to transparency {and professional} conduct, sharing key findings from their investigation. The police indicated that Madam Bah’s arrest was lawful; nevertheless, her subsequent actions—comparable to throwing a bench and splashing sizzling soup—have been labeled as felony acts. The investigation famous her passive resistance and emphasised that officers ought to have utilized de-escalation methods.
The LNP criticized Officer Alice Togba, who appeared within the viral footage eradicating Madam Bah’s hijab through the arrest, for her conduct. The officer has been suspended with out pay for one month, with authorities citing her actions as pointless and in violation of ordinary police procedures. Moreover, Officer Prince W. Chebo was exonerated, with the police confirming his conduct was lawful and applicable.
The investigation additionally highlighted communication gaps, noting that officers and LEC personnel did not adequately have interaction Madam Bah, who confronted language boundaries. Authorities mentioned that her husband or a translator ought to have been concerned to assist de-escalate the state of affairs.
Madam Bah is charged with a number of offenses, together with easy assault—linked to her actions of throwing a bench and splashing sizzling soup—stopping arrest or discharge of official duties, and disorderly conduct below the nation’s Penal Legislation. Mr. Jalloh faces prices of energy theft, particularly for tampering with LEC meters and bypassing billing mechanisms to evade fee.
The LNP emphasised that Madam Bah didn’t maintain any bodily accidents through the incident. Officer Alice M. Tokpah, liable for eradicating Madam Bah’s hijab, has been suspended for one month with out pay, whereas Officer Chebo has been cleared of any misconduct.
The Liberia Nationwide Police expressed gratitude to the general public for his or her persistence and cooperation through the investigation. The police reaffirmed their dedication to accountability, respecting residents’ rights, and sustaining excessive requirements of professionalism to foster belief throughout the neighborhood.
