MONROVIA — Pastor Clifford Payne, Deputy Communication Officer of the Group 77, publicly addressed journalists on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, to clarify his recent visit to the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), amid swirling rumors of bribery and interference. Speaking alongside his attorney, Abraham Godsent Wheon, Payne emphasized that he was never charged with bribery; the only allegation against him is obstruction of justice.
Payne explained that his visit to the LDEA was strictly personal. He sought to verify claims that officers were soliciting unauthorized payments from individuals in custody, including a relative of his, detained for alleged drug trafficking. “Nobody was confronted in an aggressive or improper manner,” he said, insisting that he only asked questions to understand the situation.
The situation became complicated when officers requested Payne’s identification, revealing his association with the Office of the Vice President. Misunderstandings ensued, leading some to speculate that he was acting under official capacity to influence the investigation. Payne strongly rejected this claim. “The Office of the Vice President has no involvement in this matter. My visit was entirely personal,” he said.
Attorney Wheon added that Payne’s actions were motivated solely by concern for a family member. According to Wheon, the pastor visited the LDEA after learning reports suggesting that additional money had allegedly changed hands, potentially affecting the detention of his relative. “Pastor Payne went to the LDEA purely to clarify these troubling claims,” Wheon said, stressing that no interference occurred.
Wheon noted that social media had amplified misinformation, with bloggers and commentators misinterpreting Payne’s visit as an attempt to influence proceedings. “This narrative is false,” Wheon emphasized. “The LDEA has not found any evidence of bribery or obstruction by Pastor Payne.”
Clarifying Payne’s professional role, Wheon explained that he serves under the Office of the Second Lady as a Media Relations Officer with the Group 77, not directly for the Vice President. The lawyer stressed that the Vice President had no knowledge of the visit and was in no way involved.
Payne also reiterated that his sole objective was to ensure that his family member received fair treatment and that the alleged bribery claims were investigated. “I only sought the truth,” he said, urging the public to rely on verified information rather than speculation.
The pastor confirmed that he provided statements to investigators on Monday and Tuesday, fully cooperating with the LDEA. His legal team is awaiting the outcome of the investigation, which will determine whether the matter proceeds to court.
“This entire situation has been fueled by misunderstanding and miscommunication,” Wheon said. “Pastor Payne acted only as a concerned family member. He did not go to the LDEA to confront, influence, or obstruct anyone. We hope the investigation will clarify the facts and bring the matter to a fair conclusion.”
With this public clarification, Pastor Payne seeks to restore his reputation and reaffirm his commitment to truth, transparency, and accountability, highlighting the delicate balance between personal concern and public perception in high-profile incidents.
