IPNews-Monrovia: The week-long controversy over instructions from the Government of Liberia prohibiting the management of Radio Bushrod (D-15), from broadcasting the ‘Costa Show’, of popular political commentator, Henry P. Costa, goes into final showdown today with the commencement of broadcast of the ‘Costa show’ against the instructions of the government of Liberia.

The head of the Board of the Radio Bushrod (D-15), Montserrado County Senator Darius Dillon of the opposition CPP on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 directed the station to go ahead and broadcast the ‘Costa Show’ of vocal political commentator Henry Costa, beginning today Thursday, January 21,2021, despite the government’s warning not to do so.

Senator Dillion and the Management of D-15 radio stations represented by its legal team demanded the government to provide further information to it on what it meant by it should not broadcast a radio program of a ‘Fugitive’, or it would go ahead to braodcast as schduled.

Contrary to commence broadcadt today of the ‘Costa Show’, a press statement issued on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 and signed by Information Minister Ledgerhood Rennie said:
“The Government of Liberia reads with deep concern a newspaper publication attributed to the Management of Radio Bushrod (D-15 Radio), giving the Government a 48-hour ultimatum to publish an indictment drawn against Mr. Henry Pedro Costa or it will go ahead to grant him air time on their platform.”

Senator Dillon told a news conference in Monrovia, that the order from government has no legal basis and that it was an infringement of their constitutional rights, and that the radio station had a legal business arrangement to air the Costa Show.

However, the Information Ministry’s statement said:
“The Government seriously considers such ultimatum as a form of threat, and calls on the Management of D-15 FM Station to reconsider the gravity of such statement which has the potential to undermine the rule of law and create unnecessary tension.”

“The government wishes to state that under the Criminal Procedure Law, specifically Title 2, Liberian Codes of Law revised, Chapter 15, section 15.14(2) titled: “Secrecy of proceedings” states: “Disclosure concerning indictment before arrest– Except to the extent necessary for the issuance and execution of a warrant of arrest or summons, no person shall disclose the finding of an indictment until the person charged therein is in custody or has given bail. A violation of this provision shall be punishable as contempt of court.”

“Pursuant to the provision of the Criminal Procedure Law, the Government is under no legal obligation whatsoever to unveil an indictment drawn against a Liberian citizen until the person named in the indictment is arrested. Moreover, Mr. Henry Costa was undergoing investigation for laissez passer fraud at the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) under the custody of the law when his counsel, Findley Karnga signed for, and obtained Costa’s living body, with the firm assurance of producing him whenever he was needed, but has not been seen since then.”

“The Government of Liberia therefore calls on Cllr. Karnga to make good his promise to unconditionally turn over Mr. Henry Costa to the Liberian Immigration Service.”

“That said, the Government of Liberia reminds all media institutions that while it will do nothing to stifle free speech, it will not however submit to any form of blackmail under the pretext of exercising freedom of expression. The D-15 Management ought to therefore carefully reconsider its ultimatum.”

As the controversy continued, Mr. Henry Costa himself has taken to social media calling on listeners to tone in to D-15, beginning this morning where he is expected to disclose ‘hidden trues’.

Costa calls on members of the CoP and ordinary citizens to protect D-15 for the reign of Democracy in Liberia.

On the contrast, some residence of the Bushrod Island community, mainly partisans and supporters of the CDC, have vowed to prevent the broadcast beginning this morning, as it is intended to undermine the current oeace enjoyed in the country.

In all this, Portions of the Liberian Constitution, Chapter I, Articles 13, 14, 15, seeks to clear the controversy:

Article 13:
A. Every person lawfully within the Republic shall have right to move freely throughout Liberia, to reside in part thereof, and leave therefrom subject however to the safeguarding to the public security, public order, public health or morals, or the rights to freedom of others;
B. Every Liberian citizen shall the right to leave and to enter Liberia at any time. Liberian citizens or non-Liberian residents may be extradited to foreign country for prosecution of a criminal offense in accordance with the provisions of a extradition treaty, or other reciprocal international agreements in force. Non-Liberians may be expelled from the Republic for cause.

Article 14:
All persons shall be entitled to freedom of thoughts, conscience and religion and no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment thereof except as may be required by law to protect public safety, order, health, morals, and or the fundamental rights and freedom of others.

Article 15:
Every person shall have the right to freedom of expression, being full responsible for the abuse thereof. This right shall not be curtial, restricted,or enjoined by government save during an emergency declared in accordance with this constitution.

As the heat develops, the Press Union of Liberia,PUL, issued a statement that it would seek the Supreme Court interpretation over the government issued statement on January 17, 2020, prohibiting ‘Radio Burshrod and other Media Institution’, from broadcasting popular Talkshow Host Henry Petro Costa show ‘The Costa Show’, over cliams that he is a “Wanted PERSON & a FUGITIVE’, evading justice.

In a release, the Press Union of Liberia clearly disclosed ongoing Consultation are with its legal team to seek opinion on the government mandate prohibiting Radio Bushrod (D-15), from broadcasting the talkshow of an acclaimed Political Commentator Henry Costa.

According to the PUL, the outcome of the legal consultation will pave the way for the union’s next course of action which could include, but not limited to legal action before the Supreme Court of Liberia for interpretation of the Weah Administration’s statement.

The Union’ statement come hours after a reported meeting held Monday morning between the D-15 Radio Station Management Team and the Government of Liberia; a forum outcome which availed three days ultimatum for the Weah’s Government to provide evidence in relation to its “Fugitive” allegation against the Talkshow Host, Henry Petro Costa.

While this evidence provision is the pipeline, the Press Union revealed that it sees the protection of free speech and freedom of the press as its code mandate and will do everything in protecting this sacred fundamental right enshrined in article 15 of the Constitution of Liberia.

Captured in the Press Release bearing the signature of the Union’ Secretary General, Musa MB. Kenneh; the Union added that its Leadership is at the same time in advance conversation with the management of D-15 and the Ministry of Information aimed at finding an amicable way forward in the interest of the country’s reputation.