Monrovia – The Inspector Normal of Police, Colonel Gregory O.W. Coleman, has denied allegations that the Liberia Nationwide Police (LNP) or state prosecutors provided a bribe to Capitol arson suspect John Nyanti in change for testimony in opposition to former Home Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and different lawmakers.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Talking on the Ministry of Info’s common press briefing on Thursday, June 18, IG Coleman described Nyanti’s declare of a US$200,000 bribery supply as false and emphasised that the police acted throughout the bounds of the legislation.
“When he was introduced in primarily based on the request of the relations who assisted on this course of, we gave him an opportunity to talk with him and to check the legitimacy of his willingness to help within the investigation,” IG Coleman mentioned.
“Within the course of, it was confirmed that certainly, he couldn’t be trusted. He was already charged in absentia even earlier than he was arrested, as such he was introduced at Central Headquarters and subsequently turned over to the courtroom. At no cut-off date did we ever intend to make a take care of him, or to even promise him what he claimed.”
IG Coleman clarified that Nyanti was lawfully returned to Liberia on June 6 and that the suspect gave each written and video-recorded statements within the presence of his lawyer. “We didn’t power him to lie,” he mentioned. “At no level did the police intend to make a take care of him, or promise him what he claimed.”
The Inspector Normal additionally said, “I can let you know that they made requests that we couldn’t honor. This case goes past only a prison indictment — it’s about confronting a tradition of impunity. We’re conscious of disinformation being unfold from a number of sources.”
Nyanti, a suspect within the December 18, 2024 hearth that destroyed parts of the Capitol Constructing, appeared on the Monrovia Metropolis Courtroom following his return to Liberia. In courtroom, he claimed that the Authorities of Liberia had provided him US$200,000 to offer testimony in opposition to lawmakers, together with former Speaker Koffa.
Following Coleman’s assertion, members of the general public, political commentators, and civil society figures raised considerations and questions over the dealing with of the case.
On social media, Irene Kollie wrote, “How can a suspect of against the law be thought-about as a witness in opposition to himself and people he allegedly dedicated the crime alongside? Make it make sense.”
She continued, “Your mentioned the person escaped due to an alleged crime he dedicated however you negotiating with the very suspect to function witness in opposition to himself for you? Wow… so why the IG didn’t communicate to the difficulty of the bribery in the course of the negotiation with Mr. Nyanti??”
Alex Saykor additionally commented on Fb: “OK, so he ran away and his household ship him again for him to be witness in opposition to himself? This doesn’t make sense, bro.”
An FPA follower recognized as Brown Sugary raised a number of questions in regards to the circumstances of Nyanti’s detention. “My brother IG, out of your data, I’ve many considerations: why the suspect wasn’t taken instantly upon arrival to South Seashore? Why others beforehand arrested have been taken to jail the place their household visited them all through? Why didn’t you’re taking him to South Seashore as an alternative of a luxurious lodge? Did you give the suspects cash? If sure, why? Why didn’t the police publicize and acknowledge the general public upon the suspect’s deportation to the nation till the relations held a press convention at CDC social gathering HQ and earlier than the circulation of the alleged video performed on Spoon?”
Chris Flomo, one other political commentator, additionally questioned the police’s model of occasions. “They gave me requests that we couldn’t honor. The query is: do you have got proof that they made requests, as an alternative? And what have been their requests? If not, one thing isn’t proper. They or he? Your entire speech is rigorously put out however nonetheless sophisticated if analyzed,” Flomo mentioned.
Nyanti’s sister, Priscilla Nyanti, has served because the household’s spokesperson. She disputed the police’s account and mentioned her brother’s return was not voluntary.
“John was not returned voluntarily,” she mentioned at a press convention. “He was coerced and brought on to the Way of life Resort in Thinkers Village, the place he has been below fixed surveillance by state safety forces.”
Priscilla additional said that on June 16, Nyanti was dropped at the LNP headquarters and offered with a three-page questionnaire aimed toward implicating lawmakers within the arson investigation. In keeping with her, he refused to cooperate.
“He has made it clear that he is not going to misinform convey others down simply to meet a promise the federal government didn’t honor,” she mentioned.
The Youth League of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) additionally criticized the federal government’s dealing with of the case. CDC Youth League Chairman Emmanuel M. Johnson mentioned Nyanti’s detention violated the Liberian Structure.
“John Nyanti has been held for greater than 12 days with out cost or courtroom look. It is a clear abuse of energy and a risk to the integrity of our justice system,” Johnson mentioned.
He additionally questioned the appointment of Nyanti’s cousin, Koffa Nyanti, as Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Particular Envoy for Commerce and Funding. “The appointment raises severe questions on whether or not authorities positions are getting used as rewards for backdoor political preparations,” Johnson mentioned.
The arson assault on the Capitol Constructing disrupted legislative features and prompted a serious prison investigation. A number of lawmakers affiliated with the then-ruling CDC, together with former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, Dixon Seboe, Abu Bana Kamara, and Jacob Debee, have been recognized as individuals of curiosity within the probe.
