Monrovia-Representative Yekeh Kolubah Monday accused President Joseph Boakai of being behind the attack by officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) that resulted in his political “base” being vandalized and vowed to “not give up on his stance against the ruling Unity Party”.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)-[email protected]
The Montserrado County District 10 lawmaker took to social media Monday morning to alarm that police had reportedly fired teargas, looted valuable items, including five of his motorbikes, and arrested some of his supporters who were present at his “base” during the police operation.
The police, however, denied the lawmaker’s claims and said they had gone to raid ghettos that were in the same vicinity the lawmaker lives as part of a “special operation” to reduce crimes ahead of the country’s 177th Independence Day celebrations on Friday.
The lawmaker, who played a major part in President Boakai’s victory over former President Weah in 2023, has turned to a major critic of the president, accusing him of betraying the trust and confidence of Liberians.
His persistent criticisms of President Boakai’s regime has put him at odds with supporters, necessitating public threats from top officials of the government, while there have been sinister attempts by people believed to be in support of the government to taint his reputation on social media.
In April, Representative Kolubah was photographed standing with a female student by an individual believed to be associated with the children of President Boakai. However, Mr. Kolubah denied knowing the female student, adding that the girl reached out to him for assistance and that was all.
In June, officials of Grand Cape Mount County threatened the lawmaker not to go to their county after he (Kolubah) spoke about the bad treatment being meted against residents of the county by the Bea Mountain Concession Company.
On Monday, July 22, Representative Kolubah posted on social media that his political “base” at his Old Road residence was raided by officers of the Liberia National Police, reportedly for his critical stance against the Boakai-led government.
“The Liberia National Police raided my Political Base in the District early this morning, they brutalized my people and took away cash, flat screen television and other valuable items away with them. The Police also shot live bullets and teargas and took away five of my motorbikes from my Base,” Rep. Kolubah said.
He added: “The “war” President Joseph Boakai has started, I can assure him that we have been at it for six years. Let me say this to Joseph Boakai that no matter what he does, I will continue to stand for the Liberian people and will never compromise the people’s interest.”
However, Col. Nelson Freeman, Deputy Police Inspector General for Operations phoned in on OK Radio station and denied allegations of police raiding the home of Representative Kolubah.
Col. Freeman explained that the police, as part of its operation to reduce crime rate during the July 26 celebration, have divided Monrovia into 11 zones to carry out its operations.
Freeman said the Police have been raiding ghettos and criminal hideouts, which started from the Brewerville areas and then to other parts of Monrovia, including the Old Road Community, where Representative Kolubah lives.
Col. Nelson Freeman said the Police received intelligence that criminals allegedly steal motorbikes and other valuable items from peaceful citizens and run into the ghettos as a haven.
Nelson Freeman, however, confirmed that teargas was fired after the Police were resisted by protesters.
“Honorable Yekeh Kolubah needs to define what he refers to as his base. The police did not go to his home but carried out an operation in the Old Road area, including Smythe Road, Gaye Town and other parts of Old Road after we got an intel,” Col. Freeman said.
“We have identified several ghettos and other criminal hideouts in those 11 Zones and district # 10 falls within those zones. So, Mr. Kolubah needs to clarify what he refers to as his base was raided by the police.”
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Jefferson Koijee, after getting the information about the incident, along with other partisans including Montserrado County District #9 Representative Frank Saah Foko, visited the home of Representative Kolubah as a sign of showing solidarity to the man who was once their strong critic for the past six years.
Addressing a news conference at the residence of Representative Kolubah, the CDC Secretary General condemned the police action, adding that an attack on the Representative is an attack on every Liberian.
Koijee said: “We have come in solidarity with our nephew and with a very strict face. We want to say to our good friends who are troubling our people. We know you are fully aware, stop what you are doing.”
In the presence of the visiting CDC guests at his district office, Representative Kolubah said President Boakai was able to show the Liberian public a picture of him and Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest businessman but was not able to tell the country to his “friend” from whom he took the 285 earth-moving equipment.
The Representative appreciated the CDC Secretary General’s visit and promised to work with the opposition. According to him, in the past, he lied that individuals from CDC were corrupt, adding it is time for the Boakai-led government to prosecute past officials, something he says the administration lacks.
Kolubah said: “We lied on Koijee, we lied on Samora Wolokollie. We have no evidence they were criminals, but our own UP government’s evidence shows they are stealing more than those guys.”
