Gaye, who claims the allegation has caused severe damage to his reputation, is demanding compensation for the purported defamation.
Monrovia – Sam Gaye, the Director of the Executive Protection Service (EPS), has filed a defamation lawsuit against former Information Minister Eugene Lenn Nagbe, seeking US$2 million in damages.
By Willie N. Tokpah
The legal action, filed at the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court in Monrovia, follows comments Nagbe made during a March 31 interview on OK FM 99.5, where he discussed a circulating claim that Gaye had displayed a photo of a gun pointed at former President George Weah in his bedroom.
Gaye, who claims the allegation has caused severe damage to his reputation, is demanding compensation for the purported defamation. However, Nagbe is standing firm against the lawsuit, describing it as “frivolous” and without merit.
In a statement to FrontPageAfrica on April 21, Nagbe confirmed he had been served with a writ of summons from the Civil Law Court. He expressed confidence that the lawsuit would be dismissed, stating, “The lawsuit from Mr. Sam Gaye is frivolous and completely bereft of merit. I trust the judicial system, and I am therefore confident that this vainglorious attempt to intimidate will be thrashed and squashed.”
Nagbe also revealed that he had secured the services of the International Law Group, with Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi leading the defense team. He further added that he would no longer comment on the matter without legal counsel, emphasizing that all future statements would be made through or with the advice of his lawyers.
Supporters of Nagbe view the lawsuit as an attack on free speech, arguing that public officials, including Gaye, should be open to scrutiny. They contend that this lawsuit sets a dangerous precedent that could undermine the right to speak freely in a democratic society.
One political observer noted, “Eugene spoke as a citizen and former government official concerned about national security. This should have sparked a national conversation, not a lawsuit.”
Legal experts remain divided on the issue. While some argue that the court must consider the reputational harm Gaye claims to have suffered, others believe the lawsuit is excessive and could be seen as an attempt to silence critics.
The case is set for a hearing during the court’s June Term, and it is already being viewed as a key test of how Liberia balances the protection of reputations with the preservation of freedom of expression.
