Author: Chester Smith

Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) Political Leader Hon. Musa Hassan Bility has declared that Liberia is facing a “national drug emergency” following the discovery of approximately 3,971 kilograms of suspected cocaine, with an estimated street value exceeding US$317 million. In a strongly worded statement, Bility said the latest seizure has transformed public concern into fear, coming just weeks after authorities intercepted 237.6 kilograms of suspected cocaine, valued at approximately US$19.2 million, at Roberts International Airport. He argued that the latest discovery, reportedly made at a private property in Duazon, demonstrates a major failure in Liberia’s national security and drug enforcement…

—-Says a ‘nation that refuses to remember cannot truly heal’ Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Economic Cooperation and Integration B. Elias Shoniyin, is calling for the renewal of minds as Liberia commemorate 179 years of our independence. In a statement issued in Monrovia, Ambassador Shoniyin, encourage Liberians to stand in solemn reflection and patriotic gratitude for the enduring journey of their beloved Republic, as the oldest independent republic on the African continent which remains the symbol of Black sovereignty, resilience, and self-determination. The Liberia Foreign Policy Advisor, cautioned that the day be celebrated not as mere celebration…

IPNEWS: Simeon Freeman, the political leader of the Movement for Progressive Change (MPC), has labeled Liberia under the President Joseph Boakai administration a “Gangster’s Paradise”. In a blistering public statement, Freeman accused the ruling Unity Party (UP) regime of allowing powerful drug cartels to infiltrate and run the nation’s key seaports and airports. Freeman claimed Liberia has officially become a narcotics storage hub used for international trafficking and exporting drugs to Europe. He criticized President Boakai’s prolonged silence regarding a high-profile $19.2 million cocaine seizure, accusing the administration of a cover-up. The MPC Political Leaders in a social media post…

Former Executive Mansion Chief of Protocol Nora Finda Bundoo has surrendered and been remanded at the Monrovia Central Prison (commonly referred to as South Beach) following an order from Criminal Court “C”. The incarceration is part of a high-profile, multimillion-dollar corruption and asset recovery case. Bundoo surrendered to prison authorities after Judge Ousman F. Feika of Criminal Court “C” issued an order for her immediate arrest. The court rejected property bonds filed on her behalf, deeming them grossly insufficient. The judge set her bail at US$8 million. The court discovered that a property used as surety had already been pledged…

IPNEWS: The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) and joint security forces have intercepted a massive cache of suspected cocaine inside a warehouse in Duazon, Margibi County, Officials believe could be this largest drug seizure in Liberia’s history might just be the biggest drugs bust ever. Preliminary assessments indicate the stash consists of high-grade cocaine. Up to press time security forces were still conducting an inventory, however, reports estimate the warehouse housed anywhere from $50 million to upwards of $200 million worth of narcotics. Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah confirmed the breakthrough, stating that early metrics indicate this haul may surpass the landmark $19…

IPNEWS: Criminal Court “C” Judge Ousman F. Feika has officially overturned the previous “not guilty” verdict in the $6.2 million corruption trial of former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and his co-defendants. Handing down his much-anticipated ruling on July 21, 2026, Judge Feika nullified the initial May 8 acquittal and ordered the immediate arrest and detention of all 15 jurors at the Monrovia Central Prison on charges of jury tampering and misconduct. The court completely set aside the prior acquittal that had cleared Samuel Tweah of economic sabotage and theft. Because the original jury panel was found to be compromised, the…

Criminal Court “C” Judge Ousman F. Feika has officially overturned the previous “not guilty” verdict in the $6.2 million corruption trial of former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and his co-defendants. Handing down his much-anticipated ruling on July 21, 2026, Judge Feika nullified the initial May 8 acquittal and ordered the immediate arrest and detention of all 15 jurors at the Monrovia Central Prison on charges of jury tampering and misconduct. The court completely set aside the prior acquittal that had cleared Samuel Tweah of economic sabotage and theft. Because the original jury panel was found to be compromised, the court…

IPNEWS: ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) is concluding a comprehensive round of Learning Ability Battery (LAB) assessments for 218 residents from its operational fenceline communities in Grand Bassa County, further strengthening the company’s commitment to creating employment opportunities for people living in communities directly impacted by its mining and rail operations. The standardized assessment, which evaluates candidates in Mathematics, English, and physical fitness, serves as a key entry point into AML’s specialized training programs and general employment pool. The exercise, which concludes tomorrow, is being conducted across three regional centers: Frank Diggs Town, Compound #3, and Buchanan City. The LAB initiative forms…

-As Criminal Court “C” Sets July 21 for Release of Jury Tampering Case Report of Samuel Tweah, Others IPNEWS: Criminal Court “C” has scheduled today, July 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. to release the findings of its investigation into alleged jury tampering and juror misconduct in the economic sabotage case involving former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah and other former officials. Ahead of this Finding, Judge Ousman F. Feika issued the notice directing all parties and their lawyers to appear before the court. The investigation focuses on allegations that the jury process may have been improperly influenced during the ongoing…

IPNEWS: The Ministry of National Defense (MoD), in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), has officially launched a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at increasing women’s participation in the Armed Forces of Liberia and international peacekeeping missions. The campaign, which commenced today, is titled “Strengthening the Armed Forces of Liberia’s Women’s Active Participation in Peace and Security Through Deployment to Peacekeeping Missions.” It is being implemented under the Elsie Initiative Fund. The awareness campaign seeks to engage women’s groups, youth groups, local government officials, market women, Peace Huts, rural women, young women’s groups, traditional leaders, chiefs and elders, and…