MONROVIA – Tension flared in the St. Paul Bridge community on Monday, November 24, 2025, after officers of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) arrested Clifford Payne, a Deputy Public Relations Director at the Group of 77, following an altercation that erupted during the transfer of drug suspects to court. The incident intensified public debate after Payne identified himself as a staff within the Office of the Vice President just moments before he was handcuffed.
According to the LDEA commander who led the operation, Payne was not arrested for drug possession. Instead, the agency said he showed up at the sub-station attempting to secure the release of a cousin who had been arrested for the illegal substance known locally as “Kush.” The commander said Payne had visited the office two days earlier, accompanied by his aunt, pleading for the release of the relative, who was scheduled to face formal charges in court.
Matters escalated on Monday morning when Payne reportedly confronted the LDEA team, accusing them of taking money from his family but still proceeding with the court transfer. The LDEA commander fired back, alleging that Payne and his aunt had repeatedly returned to the station since Saturday, attempting to bribe officers to drop the case. As tensions rose, Payne identified himself as an official assigned to the Office of the Vice President, a move that the LDEA said heightened the confrontation.
Witnesses said Payne began recording the exchange while attempting to leave the compound, prompting officers to detain him on the grounds of intimidation, obstruction, and attempted bribery. Officers handcuffed him and transported him for further investigation, emphasizing that drug cases in Liberia are non-bailable under existing law. Payne reportedly insisted that it was his aunt who handed money to officers, but the LDEA maintained that both individuals made bribery attempts.
The incident quickly drew national attention after a video of the scuffle surfaced on social media, prompting Vice President Jeremiah Koung to release a public statement distancing his office from the matter. In a firm declaration, Koung stated he would not protect anyone connected to him who tries to interfere in drug cases. “Anyone, and I mean anyone, connected to me by whatsoever means, whether by blood, by marriage, by employment, or by friendship, who engages in drug-related activities will face the full weight of the law,” he said. “Whether it is my wife, my children, my siblings, or anyone linked to my office, the law will take its course without hesitation and without interference.”
Koung further clarified that the staff involved works under the Group of 77, one of several programs his office oversees by law. He stressed that oversight does not mean protection from accountability and warned that no one attempting to misuse his name or office would be shielded from justice.
Following the Vice President’s remarks, the Administration of the Group of 77 issued an official statement confirming Payne’s position within the institution and announcing his immediate suspension. The organization noted that Payne serves as Deputy Public Relations Director and is now under active investigation by the LDEA. The statement also emphasized that the Group of 77 functions under the statutory oversight of the Office of the Vice President, along with institutions such as Scaling Up Nutrition, the Liberia Marketing Association, and the National Center for Coordination of Response Mechanisms.
The Group of 77 urged the public to avoid speculation and allow the investigation to proceed without interference. Its leadership stressed its commitment to upholding integrity and ensuring that all staff adhere to professional and ethical standards. Payne’s suspension, the group said, will remain in effect pending the final conclusion of the investigation.
As public reactions mounted, Attorney Abraham Godsent Wheon, who serves as legal counsel for Payne, publicly rejected the allegations circulating on social media. He described Payne as a pastor, youth mentor, and founder of a grassroots education effort, insisting that his client was not involved in bribery as claimed. According to Wheon, Payne visited the LDEA sub-office only to seek clarification about a friend’s arrest after hearing unverified claims that officers were demanding money.
The lawyer argued that Payne’s confrontation with the LDEA commander stemmed from misinformation. He added that the charge filed against Payne, obstruction of justice, does not support the allegation that he attempted to bribe officers. Payne, he said, later acknowledged that he acted on incorrect information, gave a formal statement, and was released to his legal team.
Wheon emphasized Payne’s community work and described him as a responsible citizen committed to helping young people across Liberia. He urged the public to refrain from drawing conclusions based solely on viral videos, adding that misinformation can damage reputations long before the truth is established.
The controversy highlights the ongoing national battle against drugs, particularly Kush, which continues to affect communities across the country. It also underscores growing pressure on public officials and those linked to high offices to avoid any appearance of interference in criminal investigations. As the LDEA proceeds with its inquiry, the public now awaits formal findings that could determine whether Payne will face prosecution or be cleared of wrongdoing.
