The Chairman of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Mr. Janga Kowo, has been arrested following a heated encounter with officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) at the Monrovia Central Prison.
According to police sources, Mr. Kowo was allegedly leading a group of protesters toward the prison facility when they were intercepted by security forces, including Deputy Police Inspector General (102). Authorities say the demonstration was unauthorized and posed a threat to the safety and operational order of the prison.
Witnesses at the scene reported that Kowo refused repeated instructions from police to halt the procession. The confrontation reportedly escalated into a brief physical altercation, after which Mr. Kowo was taken into custody.
The Liberia National Police have confirmed that Mr. Kowo is being held on allegations of attempting to obstruct justice. While no formal charges have been filed yet, investigators say the protest may be linked to the recent arrests and detention of several CDC-aligned lawmakers, including former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, Rep. Dixon Seboe, Rep. Jacob Debee, and Rep. Abu Kamara.
Mr. Kowo is currently being held at LNP Headquarters in Monrovia as investigations continue.
Efforts by Geez Liberia to contact CDC officials for comment on the arrest have thus far gone unanswered. It remains unclear whether the party will issue a formal response or mobilize in reaction to their chairman’s detention.
This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing standoff between opposition elements and state security forces amid growing public scrutiny over the treatment of detained lawmakers.
Update: Mr. Janga Kowo has since been released from police custody. The terms of his release have not been disclosed, and no formal charges were announced.
