Fomer Ruling Unity Party Sees The Action LNP Against Its Secretary General As An Attempt to Intimidate Members of the Opposition.

In a press release issued at the weekend the former ruling asserted that Unity Party was informed by its National Secretary General, Mr. Mohammed Ali, of a phone text message received inviting him to the headquarters of the Liberia National Police(LNP), at 10am on March 19, for a conversation around a Facebook post he made on March 1, 2021. The post referenced in the text stated “Dear National Elections Commission, we understand the ploy. But try it and you will see what is gonna be the end result.” The government has alleged that consequent of Mr. Ali’s post, there have been incidents of petrol bombs thrown at the residence of Associate Justice Joseph Nagbe and the headquarters of the National Elections Commission for which they are inviting him to clarify the “motive and intent” of his post.

On March 19, 2021 representation was made on behalf of Mr. Ali by his lawyers through a communication duly delivered to the office of the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police requesting an excuse from the Friday, March 19 invite due to the ailment of the Secretary General, with a commitment to accompany him to the LNP’s headquarters on Monday, March 22, 2021 at 10am. In the letter signed by Cllr. Finley Y. Karngar and Cllr. Moiffie Kenneh, they provided their individual contact numbers and email addresses should the LNP decide to contact them for further information. However, at about 2pm on March 19, four hours after receiving the letter from Mr. Ali’s lawyers, the same police declared Mr. Mohammed Ali “Wanted” and ordered his arrest. According to Mr. Moses Cater of the LNP, Mr. Ali was invited twice and he refused to show up. This is false. Mr. Ali was invited only once via a phone text message, an invitation he honored through his lawyers.

The release also stressed that Unity Party believes that the action of police contradicts the laws of Liberia and the rights of Mr. Ali, a law abiding citizen; this seem to be an attempt to intimidate and prosecute members of the opposition who have objectively spoken against socio-political ills as well as the censorship of views of the opposition through intimidation (as is being attempted in this case). According to Chapter 1.5 of the Penal Law of Liberia, “ No conduct constitutes an offense unless it is a crime or infraction under [the penal law] or another statute of Liberia”.

Therefore, the government cannot attempt to arrest Mr. Ali over a Facebook post without due process to establish any link between his post and that which the government alleges. In addition, Chapter 2.2.1 of the Criminal Procedure Law of Liberia provides an accused person the right to representation by legal counsels. As in the case of Mr. Ali, this representation requesting a postponement of the conference due to his medical condition was made by Cllr. Karngar and Cllr. Kenneh and therefore, the government cannot declare him “wanted” for failure to submit to their invitation when in fact he did through his lawyers as provided by law. The actions by the government to declare the National Secretary General of the Unity Party “wanted” without being charged with any crime is a violation of his rights and endangers him and his family. A “Wanted Person” also known as a “Fugitive from Justice” is a person that is either convicted or accused of a crime and is hiding from law enforcement in order to avoid arrest. Has Mr. Ali been convicted or accused of a crime? No, he was invited to provide the motive and intent of a Facebook post. Is he hiding from law enforcement in order to avoid arrest? No, there was never a Writ of Arrest out for Mr. Ali and he was represented by his lawyers as allowed by the law.

The Unity Party is an institution that respects the Law and individual rights of our citizens; if the government of Liberia is convinced and has evidence that Mr. Mohammed Ali’s Facebook post of March 1 has any link to the crimes being alleged, it should go ahead and press charges against him in accordance with the law. While we adjure the government to pursue the right and legal course and ensure the safety of Mr. Ali, the National Leadership and sympathizers of the Party will peacefully accompany him to the Liberia National Police Headquarters on Monday, March 22, 2021 at 10:00am.