Monrovia – The Liberia National Police (LNP), under the directive of Inspector General Patrick Sudue, has launched a controversial manhunt for Montserrado County District #9 Representative Frank Saah Foko.
By Willie N. Tokpah, [email protected]
The order for his arrest stems from alleged remarks made by the lawmaker prior to a fire incident at the Capitol Building, which gutted the Joint Chambers of the Legislature early Wednesday morning.
Representative Foko, a prominent figure in the House of Representatives, is accused of making incendiary remarks in a video where he allegedly stated, “If they want us to burn the session, we will burn it.”
The statement has been interpreted by authorities as a possible motive behind the fire, prompting swift action from the police.
Justice Minister Oswald Tweh confirmed to journalists that individuals deemed prime suspects in the Capitol Building fire would be summoned for questioning.
While Foko had reportedly been verbally invited for questioning, he insisted on receiving a formal written invitation, raising questions about due process.
Armed LNP officers barricaded the residence of Representative Foko on Wednesday, December 18, in a failed attempt to arrest him.
Despite the dramatic show of force, Foko was nowhere to be found.
The officers later left his residence, leaving behind a trail of concern about the government’s heavy-handed approach to addressing the matter.
The attempt to arrest Representative Foko follows a worrying trend of crackdowns on dissenting voices in Liberia.
The barricading of Foko’s residence and the subsequent search have been labeled by some as politically motivated, designed to instill fear among lawmakers and citizens alike.
The mysterious fire at the Capitol Building raises serious questions about safety and accountability within Liberia’s seat of power.
The public deserves answers regarding the cause of the fire, but many fear the government may exploit the incident to target political opponents.
As Representative Foko remains at large, the nation waits anxiously to see how this unfolding drama will impact Liberia’s fragile political landscape.
