Gongloe Wants Investigation Of Mysterious Deaths Under Ellen’s Regime By: Yassah J. Wright

Former presidential candidate and human rights lawyer, Tiawan S. Gongloe, has hailed President Joseph N. Boakai’s call for a full-scaled investigation into unresolved cases of mysterious deaths including the missing boys, the deaths of auditors, and other cases of national concerns. During the a recent cabinet meeting, the President said: “The Liberian people deserve answers,” President Boakai declared, noting, “No case will be ignored as we will bring closure to these tragedies and ensure justice is served.” President Boakai has directed law enforcement agencies to expedite their investigations, collaborate with international partners if necessary, and provide regular updates to the public. He reassured that his Administration will not tolerate impunity and is committed to full transparency. However, Cllr. Gongloe stated that the investigation should not be restricted to the regime of President George Weah, indicating that doing this would appear to be political and could undermine the credibility of the investigation. “I am strongly appealing to President Boakai to amend his instruction to include those mysterious deaths that happened during the administration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,” Gongloe noted. Cllr. Gongloe also said the citizens need a comprehensive and exhaustive investigation that will clear the doubts about the deaths of these people. One of the mysterious deaths under former President Sirleaf was that of Counsellor Michael Allison, former consultant to the National Oil Company of Liberia, who was found dead on the beach in sinkor, Monrovia, on Friday morning, February, 16, 2015. Allison reportedly had a role to play in an investigation involving former Speaker Alex Tyler of the Liberian House of Representatives regarding a nationwide oil consultation legal fee of US$25,000 which the deceased suspected that a corruption scheme took place. Also, the mysterious death of Harry A. Greaves, Jr., former Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) came as a tremendous shock to many as his naked body was discovered early Sunday morning, January 31, 2016, on the beach behind the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Confirming the death of Mr. Greaves following a Police Crime Service Division (CSD) investigation, Police Spokesperson Sam Collins told journalists in an interview that Mr. Greaves’ wife, Mrs. Precious Andrews Greaves, identified the body as that of her husband. Based on her confirmation, Police could tell the public that: “The body found on the beach Sunday morning is that of Mr. Harry Greaves; nothing more, nothing less.” Accordingly, Mr. Greaves had gone to attend a meeting with partners at the Kendaja Resort along the Roberts International Airport Highway in Paynesville when he mysteriously disappeared from the hotel, only for his lifeless body to be discovered dead miles away. Additionally, On March 24, 2022, Princess Cooper died mysteriously. Her lifeless body was discovered in the compound of Fawaz, a Lebanese-owned building materials store in Paynesville, Liberia.