IPNEWS-Monrovia: The immediate past Vice President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) is warning President George Weah of a damaging legacy if he fails to discourage brutality by state securities against the LIberian media.
Mr. Octavin Williams said brutality exhibited against journalists by the former notorious presidential guard known as Special Security Service (SSS), now called Executive Protection Service (EPS) is becoming a repeat of the tyrannical and traumatic days of former Presidents Samuel Kanyon Doe, Charles Ghankay Taylor (currently in prison) and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
The EPS (while known as SSS) was notoriously linked to the death of journalist Charles Gbayon as well as the flogging of journalists Throble Suah and Hasan Bility.
The Nation Times newspaper Publisher is therefore encouraging President Weah to take strong measures against the fast becoming terroristic EPS Director Trokon Roberts with the aim of preventing him from becoming another Benjamin Yeaten, who spearheaded the reign of terror against peaceful citizens during the Charles Taylor era and is now wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The outbursts by Mr. Williams come in the wake of reports of brutality against journalists involving state securities, including the EPS.
On February 15, 2020, the media was hit with the shocking news of the death of journalist Zenu Miller.
On January 26, Zenu posted on his Facebook Page: “I was attacked tonight at the SKD by EPS Officers in the full view of EPS Director. ghosh!!!!!!” He was returning from duty at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sport Complex, where he was part of a team of commentators covering the National County Sports Meet.
In a subsequent post on 27 January he wrote: “Got to see the doctor this morning. Am feeling pains in my chest and legs after the EPS’ brutality.”
When the assault incident went viral on social media, Miller confirmed it in a Facebook post, saying the alleged flogging happened “in the full view” of the head of the presidential EPS guards.
Presidential Press Secretary Isaac Solo Kelgbeh, reacting to the alleged beating, expressed regret for the incident and promised to work with the PUL to investigate the matter.
Zenu’s wife said her husband died of internal bleeding as he complained of chest pains since his flogging.
Physical and brutal attack was as well applied on journalist Christoper Walker of Frontpage Africa newspaper by police officers during the County Meet semi final match between Nimba and Maryland Counties on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville.
Since then, the Weah-led government is yet to be seen taking punitive actions against the perpertrators as a matter of setting precedence.
