MONROVIA – In the wake of arrest, charging and detention of the former Speaker of the 55th Legislature, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa and fellow sitting lawmakers, Abu Kamara, Dixon Seboe and Jacob Debee at the Monrovia Central Prison awaiting trial, former presidential and political leader of the opposition Alternative National Congress (ANC), Alexander Benedict Cummings, has hammered the Unity Party-led government over what he termed as ‘shameful incarceration’ of the lawmakers, who are members of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) of former President George Weah.
In a brief chat with journalists in Monrovia following the court remanding the lawmakers to the Monrovia Central Prison, Mr. Cummings slammed the arrest and detention of the lawmakers, classifying the Liberia National Police (LNP’s) actions as a deliberate attempt to embarrass the legislators.
“I am very disappointed in the Unity Party-led government for this behavior,” Cummings averred “These are legislators. They have immunity, and to try to embarrass them by putting them in jail is unacceptable.”
Cummings argued that the detained lawmakers are entitled to a level of immunity as sitting members of the Legislature and, given that they are not flight risks, should have been released pending court proceedings.
“These people are not going to go anywhere. They are not going to run away. They should have been released and allowed to appear in court when called,” he intoned. “This is very disappointing, embarrassing, and unacceptable. It is really a shame on the government for treating lawmakers this way.”
The arrest of Koffa and the three CDC lawmakers has sparked widespread debate, with opposition figures and civil society actors raising concerns over the government’s handling of the matter.
It can be recalled recently, in a unified front, the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE), and Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) issued a joint statement demanding the Government of Liberia uphold justice and democracy by ensuring due process for recently accused lawmakers. The leaders expressed grave concern over actions taken against these individuals, who they assert pose no flight risk, describing the situation as reminiscent of a troubling period in Liberia’s past.
The coalition emphasizes that the integrity and fairness of the government are crucial for maintaining peace and stability in Liberia. “Engaging in politically-motivated manoeuvres that threaten to destabilize our nation is not only imprudent but also perilous,” the statement reads. While they are committed to uncovering the truth behind the Capitol Building Fire incident, they stress the necessity for an impartial investigation that does not unjustly target opposition lawmakers.
The timing of the government’s actions, particularly the summoning and detention of lawmakers at the Liberia National Police (LNP) from 10:00 a.m. until evening on June 6, has been deemed undemocratic. The coalition argues that such actions echo oppressive tactics from past regimes, which are unacceptable in a democratic society.
The political leaders insist that their stance on this matter is firm and non-negotiable. They warn that failure to address these concerns could lead to significant public discontent, which may be expressed through legal and peaceful means.
