The Director of the Executive Protection Service (EPS), Sam Gaye, is facing strong criticism, this time from Lenn Eugene Nagbe, Chief of Staff to former President George Manneh Weah.
During an Ok FM morning show appearance, Mr. Nagbe alleged that Mr. Gaye is a “You-say and I-say” Director, claiming he lacks the capacity to serve in such a strategic position.
According to Mr. Nagbe, the EPS boss is “incompetent and unprofessional,” referencing his previous handling of activities involving former President Weah and those associated with him.
When asked if Mr. Gaye was professional and competent during former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s administration, where Mr. Nagbe served as Minister, he replied that Gaye was supervised by the former head of the National Security Agency (NSA), Fomba Sirleaf. In contrast, he alleged that Gaye is currently operating independently.
Mr. Nagbe provided specific instances to support his claims, recounting how former Deputy EPS Director Seward Briggs was arrested and detained on Mr. Gaye’s alleged orders simply because Briggs was driving a vehicle that Gaye erroneously believed to be a government vehicle. It was later determined that this claim was false, leading to Briggs’ release.
However, Mr. Nagbe asserted that Gaye acted based on a “You say, I say” basis.
The former Commissioner General of the Liberia Maritime Authority emphasized that the EPS Director has the authority and responsibility to conduct proper investigations and fact-finding on critical national security issues before making statements. In his view, Gaye often fails to do so, embarrassing the presidency.
“If he does not know the job well, he needs to be removed by the President,” Mr. Nagbe stated.
Additionally, Mr. Nagbe clarified that all vehicles assigned to former President Weah were officially turned over to the EPS, countering any false claims circulating in the political sphere. “It was the duty of the EPS boss to inform the Liberian people about the 15 vehicles that were turned over, and the one being used by the former President is his personal vehicle,” he explained.
Mr. Nagbe also alleged that former President Weah is a target of Gaye, citing a claim that there is a photograph in Gaye’s office showing a gun pointed directly at Weah’s head. This revelation was supposedly made by an unidentified girl, but Mr. Nagbe acknowledged that this claim cannot be substantiated or verified.
However, he challenged Mr. Gaye to deny such allegations, indicating that he is prepared to present the photo to the public. When contacted, Gaye dismissed the allegation as false and misleading.
On other national issues, Mr. Nagbe clarified that the case involving Samuel Tweah is completely different from that of Brownie Samukai, which is being debated by some politicians and members of the intellectual community. He argued that former Minister Tweah’s case involves government funds being used for national security.
In contrast, he said that former Minister Samukai used private funds—specifically soldiers’ money—under the instructions of former President Sirleaf. He noted, “The President can’t instruct you or anyone else to use private funds, as in the case of former Minister Samukai, but in the case of Tweah, the President can instruct you to use government money for national security purposes.”
Mr. Nagbe mentioned that the amount used for national security was approximately $6 million. He added, “Over a year and four months, the money used for national security under this current administration has exceeded $6 million.”
He emphasized the importance of securing both the former and current presidents and the general public, urging the government to take further action to maintain peace, calm, and stability in the country.
Finally, he stressed that the government needs to prioritize effective governance rather than engage in politics that negatively impact the people.
By: Julius Konton
