Liberia’s Justice Minister Frank Musah Dean Jr. has ordered the release of opposition politician Menikpakei Dumoe who has been behind bars for two days now.
Dumoe was arrested on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 after a search of his home was searched making comments deemed threatening to “national security”.
Earlier this week, he posted on his Facebook page that poor people in Monrovia needed “Ak47s so that the government can take us seriously”.
Minister Dean said an investigation by the Joint Security Forces, which includes the examination of materials from Dumoe’s home, is continuing.
A release quoted the justice Minister as saying that government remains committed to protecting the fundamental rights of everyone, even as it grapples with an unprecedented health crisis and urges all to refrain from making incendiary remarks which could undermine the hard-earned peace.
The search and seizure exercise which was initially broadcast live on front page Africa Facebook page a copy of which was obtained by Liberia Public Radio but later got interrupted after Lennart Dodoo Africa Page Africa’s editor mobile phone that used to go live.
The Police along with sheriff allegedly invaded the home of Mr. Dumoe, searching for lethal weapon along with other essential items.
Lawyer disappointed in police action
The lawyer of Mr. Menipakei Dumoe, the acting leader of the Council of Patriots (COP), Cllr. Findley Karngar, says his confidence in the Liberia National Police (LNP) was been betrayed.
Cllr. Karngar told OK FM after show that the police and lawyers have a special bond of speaking very clear to the other person when it comes to the arrest or call-in of their client(s) by the police.
Bar Association president Condemns
One of Liberia’s legal luminaries, Cllr. Tiawon Saye Gongloe, National Bar Association (LNBA) said Manipakei Dumoe’s statement of not wanting free rice and instead AK-47s in the hands of poor people in Monrovia is protected under the laws of Liberia.
Speaking to reporters at the Temple of justice on Wednesday after visiting Dumoe, who is behind bars at the Liberia National Police Headquarters in Monrovia, Cllr. Gongloe said he believes by arresting and putting Dumoe in jail was a distraction by the police to take Liberians’ attention from fighting the deadly Covid-19 and dealing with something that shouldn’t be given any attention.
