Paynesville – Liberia's Vice President, H.E. Jeremiah Kpang-Koung, has officially launched Okadamotto Liberia, the country’s first motorbike Uber-style transportation and delivery service. The innovative service promises safe, fast, and affordable motorbike rides and delivery solutions for Liberians. Speaking at the launch event held Tuesday at the Paynesville City Hall, VP Koung highlighted the significance of safety and unity in Liberia’s transportation sector. “I...

Monrovia – Stanton Witherspoon, CEO of The Spoon Network and host of the popular Liberian talk show SPOON Talk, has publicly expressed profound regret for his unintentional involvement in the wire fraud scheme known as Operation Nightingale. The scandal, which involved the sale of fraudulent nursing diplomas, has impacted thousands and drawn significant attention to Witherspoon’s role. The Operation Nightingale Scheme The fraudulent operation spanned multiple U.S. states and...

Monrovia – The imprisonment of Thomas Etheridge, Amos Koffa, and Eric Susay following their inability to secure a US$3.6 million bond has sparked criticism, raising questions about access to justice in Liberia. The trio, linked to the Capitol Building arson on December 18, 2024, faces charges including arson and aggravated assault. High Bond Amounts and Access to Justice The decision to imprison the suspects due to their failure to secure the significant bond amounts has drawn...

MONROVIA – Three suspects arrested in connection with the December 18, 2024, fire at Liberia’s Capitol Building have alleged that they were tortured by National Security Agency (NSA) agents to falsely implicate House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa in the incident. The Ministry of Justice has refuted the claims, dismissing them as baseless and aimed at misleading the public. Suspects’ Allegations of Torture Andrew Sleh Lawson, one of the suspects, recounted harrowing experiences...

MONROVIA – Liberia has taken a significant step forward in fire safety and prevention by joining the groundbreaking global initiative, the 1Billion Readiness Initiative, spearheaded by the Dubai Civil Defence (DCD). This ambitious project aims to educate one billion people worldwide on fire safety and prevention, with Liberia set to play an essential role in the effort. In light of increasing fire incidents across the country, the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) has ramped up its...

MONROVIA – Dr. Layli Maparyan, President of the University of Liberia (UL), has commenced her tenure with strategic measures to address the institution's pressing issues. Focusing on immediate faculty concerns, she has prioritized the payment of part-time staff as part of her first 100 days’ agenda, signaling her commitment to resolving long-standing grievances. Faculty Priorities and Salary Regularization Addressing the University of Liberia Faculty and Staff Association...

MONROVIA – Workers at the National Elections Commission (NEC) have accused Dr. Augustine Konneh, an advisor to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, of playing a key role in alleged conspiracies involving NEC Executive Director Anthony K. Sengbe and Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan. The employees claim that Dr. Konneh is orchestrating efforts to undermine President Boakai’s initiatives aimed at rescuing the NEC from alleged mismanagement and dysfunction. Allegations of Collusion...

BUCHANAN – President Joseph Boakai has pledged to address Buchanan’s ongoing electricity crisis, highlighting the irony of a city hosting the strategic TRANSCO CLSG substation yet remaining without power. Speaking during the launch of his $8.38 billion Arrest Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) plan, Boakai lamented the struggles of Buchanan’s residents and vowed to tackle the broader energy challenges plaguing Liberia. “We enjoy the hospitality of the Bassa...

President Joseph Boakai has dismissed allegations that his use of private jets since assuming office has placed any financial burden on the Liberian government. In a discussion with Jonathan Paye-Layleh, a former BBC correspondent and current board member of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), Boakai clarified that his private jet flights were facilitated by fellow heads of state and personal friends, with no expenses covered by Liberia. This statement, shared on social media by...

The Ministry of Justice has strongly refuted claims that a suspect in the Capitol Building arson case, Thomas Etheridge, was subjected to torture during his detention. Thomas Etheridge, one of the suspects in the December 18, 2024, Capitol fire that destroyed the Rotunda, accused law enforcement of employing extreme measures, including waterboarding and severe beatings, to extract information. Justice Minister Oswald Tweh dismissed these allegations, emphasizing the government’s...

GANTA, Nimba County – Former President George Weah has called on Liberians to embrace peace and unity while reflecting on the life and legacy of Senator Prince Yormie Johnson, a figure whose journey embodied a complex history of conflict, transformation, and leadership. Speaking during the ongoing funeral ceremonies in Ganta, Nimba County, Weah highlighted Johnson’s evolution from a wartime leader to a statesman and religious figure, acknowledging his significant influence on...

MONROVIA – Auditor General P. Garswa Jackson Jr. has announced an ambitious plan for 2025, aiming to complete 90 audits, with 70 of them slated for publication. Speaking at the General Auditing Commission (GAC) staff retreat on January 10, 2025, in Thinkers Village, Paynesville, the Auditor General commended the GAC’s exceptional performance in 2024 and set high expectations for the year ahead. Reflecting on 2024, AG Jackson described it as “unprecedented,” with the...