By Mark Mengonfia from Nimba County
Nimba County-Controversy arose over a statement made by Grand Gedeh Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely that the current government of Joseph Boakia did not give protection to Senator Johnson which might have led to his death.
Flanked by elders of Grand Gedeh County, the Senator revealed that when the late senator was elected, he sought refuge with the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf government to protect him (Johnson) from prosecution.
He indicated that the Sirleaf government protected the late senator and also former President George Weah did the same but the Unity Party did not give Senator Johnson any protection but went ahead to call for the establishment of a War and Economic Crime Court.
Nimely called on the Liberian Government headed by Joseph N. Boakai not to focus on the establishment of the War and Economic Crime Court as it has the ability to take Liberia back to war. He gave a scenario from the Bible about the wife of Lot, who looked back as they fled the destruction. The Grand Gedeh lawmaker advised that any attempt for the government to look back, the consequences could be bad.
Nimely, who, too, is a warlord is one of those whose name is listed as those who bear the greatest responsibility for Liberia’s civil unrest.
“Prince Johnson was my friend. Our friendship was genuine,” he stated. The Grand Gedeh County Senator used the occasion to call on both citizens of Nimba and Grand Gedeh to put aside their differences to unite. He also called for people who the late Senator might have wronged to forgive him.
Both VP Jeremiah Koung and Rep. Richard N. Koon rebuked the Grand Gedeh County Senator.
Responding to Sen. Nimely’s statement, Veep Koung said, “Senator Johnson was not guilty. He was never convicted by any court in Liberia or anywhere in the world, he defended the people of Nimba. “If the Senator was alive, he would have responded. Senator, I am responding because you would have done it,” the Liberian Vice President said.
Veep Koung added that the late Senator Johnson was hero for his people as he stood for his people during the heat of the Liberian civil conflict.
Vice President Jeremiah Koung has issued a sharp response to Grand Gedeh County Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely’s controversial tribute regarding the late Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson, firmly asserting that Johnson was never guilty of war crimes and should be remembered as a national hero.
Speaking at Johnson’s burial ceremony, Koung countered Nimely’s portrayal of Johnson as a figure who sought to “buy time” to evade prosecution for alleged war crimes. Instead, Koung emphasized Johnson’s innocence and his enduring legacy as a defender of his people.
“When you [Nimely] said, ‘Why can’t you forgive Senator Johnson?’ I thought he was going to wake up, because he would never accept that he was guilty. He was never guilty,” Koung declared. “And because he was never guilty, he signed the war crimes court resolution because he wanted to go to court and tell the people of this country that he defended this nation and his people.”
The Vice President passionately affirmed Johnson’s innocence, stating that no court, either domestic or international, had ever found him guilty of war crimes. “There is no court in this country or internationally that found him guilty. That’s why we celebrate him as our hero,” Koung said, adding that Johnson’s unparalleled funeral turnout reflected the deep respect and admiration he commanded.
Koung described the overwhelming public mourning for Johnson as a testament to his stature in Liberian history. “Maybe apart from the death of the late William V.S. Tubman, no former leader has died and received the kind of support, crowd, and honor that Senator Johnson is receiving,” Koung stated.
He recounted the tributes pouring in from across Nimba County, with thousands gathering in towns like Ganta, Sankara, and Saclepea to honor the late senator. “If you entered Ganta on the day we did, you would know that a tree has fallen. You would know that a hero has gone to rest,” Koung said.
Nimely’s earlier tribute sparked controversy for characterizing Johnson as a man who relied on political maneuvering to avoid accountability. Nimely claimed Johnson struck deals with successive presidents, including Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and George Weah, to delay the establishment of a war crimes court.
However, Koung dismissed these claims, framing Johnson as a man of courage and integrity who faced criticism head-on. “If you [Johnson] were alive, you would wake up to respond immediately, because that’s the man you were. But since you can’t speak now, we will say it for you: You are not guilty. You were never guilty,” Koung said.
Prince Y. Johnson’s death has reignited debate over Liberia’s post-war justice and reconciliation efforts. A former warlord turned senator, Johnson remained a polarizing figure, hailed by some as a defender of his people and condemned by others for his role in Liberia’s civil war.
While Nimely argued that Johnson was never forgiven by Liberians, Koung painted a contrasting picture, portraying Johnson as a hero who earned the love and respect of his people.
Also responding to Nimely’s statement, House Speaker Richard N. Koon said, “You said Senator Johnson was troubled by this government but you are the one who troubled him. You called him your friend, why did you sign the document? Koon questioned.
Rep. Koon accused Yaya Nimely of betraying the Nimba County lawmaker saying, “You betrayed a person you call your friend and come here accusing this government when you have already betrayed your friend.”
Senator Johnson was laid to rest on Saturday January 18, 2025 in Gonpa City, Nimba County.
