The Liberia National Police (LNP) says it has dismissed one of its officers while suspending three others. Speaking Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at the headquarters of the LNP, Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman said Sam Ballah (R-2), Augustine Ben (Cyber) and Sansee C. Massaquoi were involved in corruption, harassment, abuse of power and intimidation of two businessmen.
He said Massaquoi had been suspended since 2018 for theft of property, and the LNP Act prevents suspended officers from performing any duty related to previous work; thus he has been formally dismissed and turned over to the Crime Services Department to be investigated.
He said recently, the police officers made an illegal entry at the Luxury Hotel in Thinkers Village and arrested Mr. Nguyah Dean and Mr. Levan Tu without any probable cause and took them to the headquarters of the LNP where the suspects were turned over to a senior supervisor.
But IG Coleman said the supervisor also abused his authority and intimidated the businessmen threatening to mock-shock them, an action that does not in any way represent the LNP. He said though the investigation is still in the early stages, it was only fair enough to update the public as to where they are with the matter.
Coleman said there was no criminal act on the part of the businessmen and the officers had no probable cause to arrest them. According to him, the businessmen reported that they had US$ 24,000 with them when the police officers entered the facility, but when they reached the police station, the officers reported only US$12,200. But after the businessmen lawyers signed for them, an additional US$5,000 of the money reported could not be accounted for.
He said the criminal act is very clear, but there are set procedures that they need to follow before turning the officers over for criminal investigation. “The LNP is a service for good; it has over 5,000 officers to carry on their roles and responsibilities as per the act that established the organization,” he said. According to him, any action that borders on criminal activity will never be covered as these actions have caused embarrassment to the LNP.
By Lucky M. McGee, Cub Reporter
