BY: Rufus Divine Brooks Jr.
IPNEWS: Executive Protection Service Director Sam Gaye has responded to recent calls by Liberian U.S.-based security expert Alfred Jah Johnson for the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police IGP. Gregory O W Coleman to recuse himself from the ongoing drug cartel investigation.
In KMTV Liberia comments section, EPS Director Gaye said the legal basis cited by Johnson — the Giglio doctrine does not apply in this case.
Johnson, a current law enforcement officer in the united states, had argued that the IG should step aside to protect the integrity of the investigation, citing Giglio v. United States and Brady v. Maryland — U.S. legal standards requiring prosecutors to disclose information that could impeach a testifying officer’s credibility.
But Gaye, who served 24 years as a federal agent, pushed back on that interpretation.
“_I am confused about your application of the ‘Giglio doctrine’.
It applies to a law enforcement officer who has lied or been found guilty of ethical misconduct,_” Gaye wrote.
“_The IG has no history of such infractions.
As a matter of fact, he is not going to be a witness in these proceedings. Therefore, Giglio does not apply to him,_” he added.
The exchange comes amid growing public discussion over the integrity of the high-profile cartel probe, which has already led to the arrest of several Liberia National Police officers and Ex Vice President under the CDC administration.
Johnson had argued that the IG’s public statements and past personnel decisions raised questions about credibility that defense attorneys could exploit at trial.
He cited the precedent set when former LDEA Director Anthony Biago recused himself from a related investigation.
Gaye’s response directly challenges that comparison, asserting that without a record of dishonesty or misconduct, and without the IG being listed as a trial witness, there is no legal or procedural basis for recusal under _Giglio
WHAT IS GIGLIO?
The Giglio doctrine, stemming from a 1972 U.S.
The Supreme Court case, requires prosecutors to turn over evidence that could be used to impeach the credibility of government witnesses.
Law enforcement officers placed on a Giglio/Brady list are often barred from testifying because their credibility has been compromised.
Gaye’s intervention adds a new voice to the debate from Liberia’s security sector, as the Boakai administration continues to face pressure to ensure transparency in the handling of the drug case.
