On Monday, January 29, 2024 the Hot Pepper reported a story alleging the resurfacing of individuals described as “criminals” who were dismissed or suspended from the Liberia National Police (LNP) for alleged general worthlessness, criminal conspiracy and abuse of office, and that they were bracing themselves for a possible return to the force. However, investigation being conducted by the paper has uncovered a desperate conspiracy geared towards tarnishing the reputations of individuals who have served the LNP for several years in various departments.
The allegation is that, since the appointment of Gregory Coleman as Inspector General (IG) of police, some of the officers who were said to have been discharged from the police during the administration of Col. Chris Massaquoi for allegedly conniving with armed robbers and other harden criminals to commit crime are seen around the corridors of the LNP headquarters in a bid to bring themselves closer to the new administration, pointing accusing fingers on Johnny Dean, Alvin James and Victor Gboyah as among those involved.
However, sources in the LNP have confided in the paper that since the coming in of the Boakai-led government, there has been a tense struggle for positions in the LNP, and people are going about giving out damaging information without supporting documents to substantiate their claims. The paper was informed that it is now like “rush hour” for senior ranks in the police, and everyone who feels competent is out for a grab at the expense of others’ characters.
Digging further into the allegation, the Hot Pepper uncovered that one of the accused, LNP Superintendent Johnny Dean, ID#0168, was suspended on February 3, 2016 for alleged police impropriety, but was cleared of the charges and the suspension lifted on April 10, 2017 after a special investigation team conducted its investigation and exonerated him from allegation of armed robbery and criminal conspiracy.
Superintendent Dean was then reinstated and promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendent.
Dean would serve for the following year, until May 1, 2018, under the administration of Col. Patrick Sudue, and tender in his resignation to continue his professional career with another organization he described as better suited to his needs. Documents accessed by the Hot Pepper revealed that the then Acting Chief of Human Resource Management Division of LNP, Ellice R. Wiggins, acknowledged receipt of Dean’s resignation, approved his resignation and congratulated him for the cordial working relationship over the years. Since then, Dean has been living his private life.
Also, investigation has revealed that Victor Gboyah has not been dismissed nor suspended from the police force; instead, his assignment was only changed during the administration of Col. Sudue. According to the investigation, Gboyah served as Chief of Patrols during IG Coleman’s administration during the Sirleaf ear, Assistant Senior Inspector of Police for Administration under Col. Chris Massaquoi, and now Deputy Chief of Major Crime for Administration.
The paper went a step further to contact Gboyah, who confirmed that he still serves as Deputy Chief of Major Crime for Administration, and that he has never been dismissed from the police as reported. Gboyah wondered who are those behind the conspiracy to tarnish his reputation and for what purpose, and described the allegation against him as false, misleading and lacking any iota of truth.
As it regards officer Alvin James, it was revealed that he, too, resigned from the LNP a few years ago to further his education abroad, contrary to the allegation of suspension or dismissal. The paper was tipped that officer James recently returned from abroad and is open for job consideration if he is deemed qualified by the Boakai administration.
Whether the allegations are true or malicious, the diabolical struggle for positions within the LNP must claim the urgent attention of President Joseph Nyuma Boaka, the 55th Legislature and law enforcement experts in order to find an amicable solution to the age-old power struggle/maneuvering.
