Echoes of Justice: Liberians left in Agony as Boakai’s Troths of Mysterious Death Remain Unfulfilled

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By Darius David Sumo

The justice system in Liberia, particularly under the current Unity Party-led government, shows minimal progress and is solely manipulative.  Daily, the system aggressions result in myriad Liberians being pulverized. Many, prior to the inception of the UP government to the zenith of power thought the system would have been effective and deliver to the foremost. Unfortunately, this has proven to be an illusion. President Boakai toppled at the embryonic stage and continues to walk in the shadow of contradictions.

Among the 119 promises tracked by NAYMOTE, a leading grassroots organisation promoting democracy, peace building, human rights, and civic engagement in Liberia, few focused on integrity and delivering justice for the families of those who were gruesomely killed during the tenure of Former President Weah. That is why ultimately one of our arguments has been crystal clear: one reason Former President Weah lost the support of the Liberian masses, which ultimately led to his ousting, was the issue of mysterious killings.

In light of this reality, President Boakai vowed during his campaign in the 2023 runoff polls to ensure that justice is served to the families affected. As a result of public outcry, in one of the meetings with his cabinet, precisely on March 3, 2025, President Boakai mandated the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Cllr N. Oswald Tweh, to conduct a thorough investigation into the case involving the three boys who went missing, auditors who died under abnormal conditions, and other mysterious deaths both under the current and previous administrations, which have profoundly undermined national confidence. To authenticate my claims, you can click on this link read: https://www.emansion.gov.lr/media/press-release/president-boakai-orders-full-investigation-mysterious-deaths-sets-clear-agenda

It has been approximately 1 year and 4 days since the dodgy investigation was launched, despite our persistent calls for an impartial and full investigation into the astronomically mysterious deaths happening across Liberia. Yet, these cases continues to lie in ruins. The voices of the families members of  those victimized echo, rising like hunting winds, crying for justice that stirs the heavens. The souls of those statesmen who died under mysterious circumstances whisper of the forsaken while nothing meaningful is being done to appease their blood that was spattered.

Anwar Futloo, the general manager of Boulevard Palace Hotel, died mysteriously in late December of 2024, under the Boakai-led government. The government refused to carry out an independent investigation, only to tell the world Futloo died as a result of ingestion of concentrated acid, while the family continues to cry for justice: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FYwdjxmMw/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Yarkpawolo Moisema, a 19-year-old Liberian, died on January 6, 2025, in police custody in Voinjama, Lofa County. Even though the LNP initially claimed he committed suicide by hanging in his cell, a subsequent autopsy contradicted said claim. The autopsy classified the death as unnatural. Family members of the late Moisema have demanded a full sale investigation in order for justice to be served. Up to today’s date, the government of President Boakai hasn’t done anything to ensure the family gets justice. Read the full story in an article from Insight.Liberia: https://www.insightsliberia.com/post/autopsy-contradicts-police-rules-young-man-s-death-in-custody-a-homicide

Mathew Mulbah was unmercifully shot several times in the Congo Town region in October of 2025 by officers of the LNP. Today, the LNP is able to give us a full report of the situation while his family remain in tears.

The families of the four auditors – Gifty Lamah; Albert Peters; George Fanbutu; Emmanuel Barten, former Director General of the Internal Audit Agency; Melvin Erby of the Executive Protection Agency; AFL Sergeant Bobby Manneh; and John Hilary Tubman, son of former President William VS Tubman are still continuing to mourn them because the government of Liberia under the leadership of President Boakai has refused to give them JUSTICE. So where is the JUSTICE President Boakai promised them?

The Rule of Law and Governance component of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), Pillar 3, stresses the government's aim and commitment to strengthen the justice system of Liberia. With these cases and many others being unresolved, I am yet to grasp how the UP government will strengthen the justice system.  Vast propositions in the 1986 constitution of the Republic of Liberia are deeply rooted in the principles of equality before the law, Liberians' entitlement to due process, and the directive that Liberians are subjected to justice that should be administered without denial or delay. Predominantly, these stipulations guarantee justice for all Liberians. Again, you can kindly click on the link to read it: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Liberia_1986

Article 11 (c): "…persons are equal before the law and are therefore entitled to the equal protection of the law…”

Article 20 (a): "...justice shall be done without sale, denial or delay..."

Article 8: “…ensuring for all citizens without discrimination opportunities for employment and livelihood under just and humane conditions and towards promoting safety…”

The unresolved deaths of these Liberians and foreign nationals remain a disturbing symbol of institutional failure, undermining of the rule of law and political unwillingness to confront impunity. These are all Liberians; if they cannot obtain JUSTICE here, which country would give them justice? We will continue to flag these issues until the Unity Party government can metamorphose the guarantee of justice for all Liberians, especially those whose family members died mysteriously, from a mere press release or statement to a fully practical one.

On April 14, we will be posted at the barricade to demand JUSTICE for our people.

Long live the Vanguard Student Unification Party

Long Live the fighting Spirit of Chairman Odecious Mulbah

Cde. Darius David Sumo is a Liberian student radical, educator and an emerging writer. He is currently the Assistant Secretary on the Bureau of Propaganda Research and Guidance of the Vanguard Student Unification Party. Cde. Sumo currently studies  at the University of Liberia, and can be contacted via WhatsApp at +231777490692 or email: dariussumo@gmail.com