A dramatic scene erupted at the Capitol Building in Monrovia on Monday, September 16, 2024, when dismissed officers of the Executive Protection Service (EPS) stormed Legislature in demand of benefits.
Our reporter said the dismissed EPS officers shut down working activities for about an hour and threatened to “hold ground” if any members of the Liberia National Police (LNP) show up, a situation which created serious tension. The incident led to a point where House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s security personnel was forcibly disarmed by one of the angry dismissed EPS officers.
“We disarm him because he was trying to show up and if anyone of them comes out with their weapons, we will take it and will not return it; we want our money because our children are out of schools; our wives have been put outside for rents and no food at our various homes,” they said.
However, while in the middle of the heated situation, Speaker Koffa stepped and managed somehow to calm the tension, and promised to initiate speedy negotiations with the Executive to make sure the dismissed persons get their money. Meanwhile, he pleaded with them not to cause fear for citizens and the state as modalities are being worked out to ensure they get their money.
It can be recalled that the dismissed EPS officers on April 22, 2024 wrote a communication to House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa informing him of the illegal termination of their service with the EPS. The letter was read to legislative reporters by the Spokesman Nathaniel O. Beh, Jr.
Bah said between May and June 2018, they were recruited by authorities of the EPS to beef up its strength for the protection of VIPs during the administration of former President George Manneh Weah in keeping with the National Security and Intelligence Act of the country.
The dismissed officers said legitimate letters were provided to them indicating their employment, with a three-month probationary period in consonance with Section 13.1 of the Decent Work Act of 2015.
The letter revealed that after successfully serving their probationary period, the EPS Administration conducted an assessment of the performance of each agent followed by official letters for permanent employment.
“We have all been serving the EPS diligently and professionally since 2018 up to present when the current leadership of the EPS terminated our services indicating that they have determined that we do not meet the minimum requirement of the EPS.”
The dismissed officers said under the EPS Duty Manual and Regulations, there are acts which constitute cause for suspension as well as immediate termination of service.
“We strongly believe that the termination of our services was premeditated because the current Director of the EPS Sam Gaye, during appearance at the Liberian Senate for confirmation hearing on Monday, February 12, 2024, declared that he would terminate the service of many agents of the EPS, because according to him, during the regime of former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf where he served as head of the EPS, he left 450 active agents and upon his appointment to the same position by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, he met 900 agents,” the letter stated.
They said the “premeditated statement” from Director Gaye which was widely publicized, is tantamount to a threat on the Office of the Presidency.
