Godia Apha Kortu Gongolee, the suspended Deputy Director General for Operations and Technical Services at the Liberia Agricultural Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), has allegedly assaulted an independent newspaper editor on Monday following an investigation into a cocoa smuggling story.
The victim, Independent Newspaper Editor Dominic Farley, was brutally assaulted by Gongolee during a pre-arranged interview. Farley and fellow journalist Nathaniel Daygbor had previously contacted Gongolee on Sunday to secure his side of the ongoing investigation.
The confrontation escalated when the parties met on Crown Hill, Broad Street. According to reports, Gongolee exited his vehicle in an aggressive and angry mood. He demanded to know why the two journalists felt entitled to interview him regarding the cocoa smuggling story. He reportedly shouted, “Who are you to investigate me? “Before the physical altercation occurred.
Sources within the agency allege that Gongolee has frequently used his political connections, specifically his ties to the President’s Special Assistant, Morine Nyema, to insult colleagues and show blatant disrespect to his superiors at LACRA.
LACRA’s Board of Directors recently suspended Alpha K. Gongolee, citing alleged links to a cocoa smuggling operation that has intensified scrutiny on the country’s agricultural regulatory system and raised serious concerns about accountability within the institution.
The recommendation, which has been forwarded to President Joseph Boakai for action, follows a resolution reached by members of the Board in line with the statutory provisions governing LACRA.
According to the Act establishing the authority, contingent on the resolution of two-thirds of the Board membership, the Board shall advise the President to suspend or remove the Director General for failure to perform duties or for verified misconduct under Liberian law.
The same provision empowers the Board to suspend or remove a Deputy Director General under similar circumstances, including persistent inability to perform assigned responsibilities or conduct that violates the institution’s mandate as outlined in Sections 12 and 13. By invoking these provisions, the Board has signaled that the allegations against Gongolee meet the threshold for executive intervention.
The Board’s action was formalized in a letter dated April 23, 2026, signed by its Chairperson, Madam Josephine C. Francis. In the communication, Gongolee was informed of his immediate suspension over his alleged involvement in a cocoa smuggling scheme associated with Zeno Industry.
The letter further indicated that the matter has been referred to the Liberia National Police (LNP) for investigation, and instructed the suspended official to turn over all government property in his possession and cooperate with authorities as the probe continues.
This development marks the third time the Board has reportedly moved to suspend Gongolee over allegations tied to the illegal export of cocoa outside LACRA’s established regulatory channels.
Sources within the authority indicate that previous disciplinary actions taken against him were not fully enforced. In at least two earlier instances, Board decisions were reportedly delayed or halted following interventions from individuals believed to be close to the Executive Mansion.
These repeated interruptions have fueled concerns about political interference in regulatory enforcement, with critics arguing that such actions undermine institutional independence and embolden unlawful practices within the cocoa sector.
Observers warn that the failure to uphold previous Board decisions may have contributed to the persistence of smuggling activities, which continue to deprive the Liberian government of significant revenue.
The situation has become increasingly tense amid reports that Gongolee is resisting the Board’s directive. Sources within LACRA claim that he has refused to comply with the suspension and intends to continue reporting to work despite the official notice.
Additionally, he is alleged to have threatened to use his connections within the Executive Mansion to influence decisions against members of the Board, including calls for the removal of the Board Chair.
These allegations have heightened fears of a deepening governance crisis within the authority, as the standoff threatens to disrupt operations and weaken already fragile institutional structures. Efforts by FrontPage Africa to obtain Gongolee’s response were unsuccessful, as multiple phone calls placed to him went unanswered.
The events leading to the Board’s decision were triggered by a leaked internal memo authored by Acting Director General Dan T. Saryee Sr., which was obtained by FrontPage Africa. The memo outlined serious irregularities surrounding a cocoa shipment carried out on February 7, 2026, by Zeno Industry. According to the document, the shipment bypassed key regulatory requirements, including the submission of an export application, the issuance of quality control certification, and proper financial documentation.
