MONROVIA – Attorney Anthony Cole, legal counsel for Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND) Chairman Mulbah Morlu, says his client is fully cooperating with an ongoing police investigation into a firearm recovered during the July 17 protest and is confident Morlu will be allowed to return home once the probe is completed.
By Jaheim T. Tumu | jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com
Morlu was arrested on Saturday and escorted in handcuffs from the Paynesville City Court to the Liberia National Police (LNP) Headquarters after police conducted a search and seizure operation at his residence earlier in the day.
Speaking to reporters, Cole described Morlu as “a cooperating witness” in the investigation and maintained that his client had acted responsibly following the recovery of the weapon amid a tense crowd situation.
“As far as we know, Mulbah Morlu has been considered a witness. He is a cooperating witness,” Cole said.
He added that the firearm is currently in the custody of the Liberia National Police and that all required procedures had been followed.
“The weapon is currently in the care of the Liberia National Police. A comprehensive inventory has been done, and a custody process was conducted. So, he is cooperating with the investigation, and that is where we are at this point,” Cole said.
Cole emphasized that the firearm was surrendered through the court system to ensure a proper chain of custody before being returned to the police.
“The most important thing was to get the weapon back to the Liberia National Police. The police claim it is their weapon. So you give it to the court, the court gives the weapon back, and the matter is addressed,” he said.
The lawyer rejected suggestions that Morlu had acted improperly, arguing that his client and his team acted in the public interest.
“What Morlu and his team did was in the best interest of the people of this country so that we would not have a catastrophe on our hands,” Cole asserted.
He further said the decision to involve the court demonstrated confidence in Liberia’s judicial process.
“Going to the court was the best course of action regarding the weapon, and that is exactly what was done,” he said.
Cole also dismissed speculation that the investigation was politically motivated.
“I think this matter should not be politicized. There is a legal process that all of us need to follow,” he said. “I am definitely confident that my client goes home.”
The Liberia National Police has confirmed that it has taken possession of the firearm and says investigations into the matter are continuing.
