A controversy is unfolding in Sinoe County, Liberia, surrounding the Labour Commissioner's Office. New video and photographic evidence has raised questions about the conduct of officials associated with the office. The dispute involves Sinoe County Attorney Cllr. Mmonbeydo Nadine Joah, Labour Commissioner Cleophas Nyantee Mah, and County Superintendent Alexander Nah Slewion. The incident began with a dispute over the handcuffing of a Chinese national and a confrontation between the County Attorney and county officials.
According to Labour Commissioner Mah, the incident occurred several months ago and was unrelated to the more recent confrontation involving the County Attorney and Superintendent. Mah denied allegations of harassment, intimidation, or extortion by him or his team. He stated that the Chinese national was arrested and handcuffed by members of the Liberia National Police, who were investigating an incident. Mah's office imposed a fine on the company, but the County Attorney later revoked the fine.
However, Superintendent of Kpanyan Statutory District, Darius Shajay Nagbeh Sr., disputed Mah's account of the incident. Nagbeh alleged that Mah arrived at the site accompanied by a Community Police officer and participated in the arrest and handcuffing of the Chinese national. Nagbeh also disputed the amount of the fine imposed on the company. The County Attorney later revoked the fine and initiated legal proceedings against Mah, accusing him of abuse of office.
Separate allegations have emerged concerning the treatment of business operators in Greenville. Sources allege that members of the Labour Commissioner's team have visited businesses operated by members of the Fula community and demanded payments allegedly outside Liberia's established labour and work-permit procedures. Mah categorically denied the claims, saying neither he nor his team has engaged in extortion or intimidation.
The dispute escalated after the County Attorney allegedly ordered the Deputy Labour Commissioner arrested while he was carrying out his official duties. Mah resisted the arrest of his deputy and was subsequently accused by the County Attorney of obstructing justice. The competing accounts have now become intertwined with a separate confrontation involving the County Attorney, the Labour Commissioner, and Superintendent Slewion.
Superintendent Slewion offered a different account of the confrontation. He stated that Mah complained to him that the County Attorney had gone to his office to arrest him and asked for his intervention. The Superintendent invited Joah to his office to mediate, but she declined. Slewion alleged that he was assaulted during the ensuing confrontation and had to be taken away from the scene.
The County Attorney was later taken to F.J. Grant Hospital following the confrontation. The Ministry of Justice is reviewing aspects of the dispute. The competing accounts raise broader questions about how labour and other regulatory authorities are exercising enforcement powers in Sinoe County.
Key points
- The dispute involves allegations of harassment, intimidation, and extortion by the Labour Commissioner's team.
- The County Attorney and Labour Commissioner have differing accounts of the incidents.
- The Ministry of Justice is reviewing the dispute.
