02/09/2025
Government Breaks Ground on Historic Overpasses Along Tubman Boulevard in Liberia’s Infrastructure Milestone
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has broken ground for the construction of two China-aid overpass bridges on Tubman Boulevard, near the Ministerial Complex and SKD Boulevard.
The President said the project will ease congestion, improve safety, and cut travel time, while creating jobs and boosting economic activity. He thanked the People’s Republic of China for its support and praised the Ministry of Public Works for its coordination.
Despite temporary inconveniences during construction, President Boakai assured citizens that the project will deliver lasting benefits, aligning with the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
For his part Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Yin Chengwu, speaking at the event described the project as a “vivid illustration” of the deepening strategic partnership between China and Liberia.
He noted that the initiative is a direct outcome of commitments made during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), where President Xi Jinping and President Boakai elevated bilateral ties to a strategic partnership.
He emphasized that Liberia’s road challenges have long hindered economic and social development, and commended President Boakai’s foresight in prioritizing road construction under the ARREST Agenda.
For his part, Public Works Minister, Roland Giddings, re-affirmed his ministry’s commitment in working along with the contractors on the over-head bridges until its completion.
The project is Sponsored by a $54 million grant from the People's Republic of China, the project, negotiated in 2018 and signed in 2021 by the Weah administration, aims to alleviate traffic congestion and stimulate economic growth in Monrovia. One overpass will be located near the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, and the other at SKD Boulevard.
Defense Moves to Dismiss Key Evidence in Capitol Building Arson Trial Over Chain of Custody Concerns, As Judge Roosevelt Willie Orders Immediate Return of Co-Defendants to Monrovia Prison Amid Concerns Over Unlawful Transfer in High-Profile Arson Case
Criminal Court ‘A’ Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie has ordered the immediate transfer of all Capitol Arson Attack defendants from Kakata Central Prison in Margibi County back to the Monrovia Central Prison, citing legal jurisdiction and the defendants’ right to counsel.
The ruling follows heated arguments in court over a 32-count motion to suppress evidence filed by defense lawyers, who allege serious constitutional and procedural violations in the state’s handling of the investigation, ranging from illegal search and seizure to allegations of torture and unauthorized forensic analysis.
However, the court has upheld Jurisdiction, Right to Counsel in one of the issues raised during the argument.
Judge Willie emphasized that the ongoing arson trial is being held in Montserrado County, not Margibi, and therefore, “the defendants must be kept within the jurisdiction of the court trying the case.”
He granted the defense’s request to have the defendants returned to Monrovia, stating that their prolonged detention in Kakata undermined their right to effective legal representation.
“If the Ministry of Justice claims there is no space to hold them at the Monrovia Central Prison,” the judge stated, “then the state must create space, by releasing pretrial detainees who are eligible for bail, if necessary.”
Amid public interest and growing political commentary surrounding the high-profile case, Judge Willie reiterated that the trial is not political.
“This Court has no intention to keep anyone in prison who has not committed a capital offense requiring a bond,” he said.
However, he also ruled that the bail bond previously submitted on behalf of the defendants was invalid and stressed that three of the accused remain a flight risk.
He said the defendants may be released only upon the posting of appropriate and valid bond instruments.
Led by a team of prominent legal counsels including Cllrs. Arthur Johnson, Wilkins Wright, and Jonathan Massaquoi, the defense presented a blistering motion to suppress the prosecution’s evidence, citing constitutional, statutory, and procedural violations.
Cllr. Arthur Johnson argued that the NSA, not the Liberian National Police (LNP), conducted the core investigation despite lacking statutory authority to do so.
He argued that evidence seized during searches lacked proper judicial authorization and failed to comply with Chapter 11, Section 11.3 of the Criminal Procedure Law.
Cllr. Johnson stated that the defendants were not present during the search and seizure operations, undermining the legal chain of custody of crucial items, including a chloride bottle allegedly linked to the arson.
He added that the call logs used as evidence were obtained without court order, violating privacy rights under Liberian law and lacking authentication.
“The Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) conducted forensic analysis without legal authority and failed to notify the defendants of its examination process,” Cllr. Johnson argued.
Cllr. Johnson further alleged that the defendants were tortured and sodomized during their detention at the NSA, calling the investigative process “clandestine, uncivilized, and barbaric.”
One of the State prosecutors, Cllr. Richard Scott, rejected the motion in its entirety, urging the court to dismiss it and allow the trial to proceed. Cllr. Scott argued that the NSA’s involvement was legally authorized by the Ministry of Justice, citing the agency’s technical expertise.
He said search and seizure actions were approved by the court, and the defense’s acknowledgment of these requests contradicts their suppression arguments.
On the issue of call logs, Scott cited precedent from the Civil Mining Case involving Cllr. Varney Sherman, stating that privacy does not apply in criminal investigations.
He noted that credible evidence of torture was presented, and the majority of the state’s evidence is digital in nature, undermining the argument that it was obtained through coercion. Cllr. Scott dismissed the motion as a delay tactic, stating, “The defense is simply trying to prevent this case from moving forward.
President Boakai Announces Price Cuts on Flour and Rice to Ease Cost of Living for Liberians
In a decisive move aimed at alleviating the economic strain on Liberian families, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has announced substantial reductions in the prices of essential food staples flour and rice.
The announcement follows recommendations from the Presidential Ad-Hoc Committee on Price Contradictions, led by Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Sr.
During a press briefing at the Executive Mansion, President Boakai revealed that the wholesale price of flour has been lowered from US$39.00 to US$35.00 per 100-pound bag.
Similarly, the retail price of rice, previously at US$16.75 per 25kg bag, has been reduced to US$14.00.
“These reductions reflect our government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every Liberian family has access to affordable food,” President Boakai stated.
“We are also working closely with Producers and importers to promote fair and sustainable trade practices that guarantee a continuous supply of these essential commodities.”
The President emphasized that the new prices are effective immediately and instructed the Ministry of Commerce inspectorates, along with all relevant stakeholders, to enforce these prices strictly across the country.
He warned that any individual or business attempting to create arbitrary price hikes will face severe legal consequences.
Furthermore, President Boakai assured the public that the Presidential Committee will continue consultations with stakeholders to analyze the current cost drivers and identify additional avenues for price reduction, aiming to further ease the economic burden on citizens.
Stressing the importance of food security and economic stability, President Boakai concluded by reaffirming his administration’s top priorities: stabilizing prices, strengthening food security, and supporting Liberian households during these challenging times.
