MONROVIA – A growing legal and political storm has flare up between two high-profile figures from the past and present Liberian governments, as Chief of Staff to ex-President George Weah, Mr. Lenn Eugene Nagbe, has filed a formal complaint against Executive Protection Service (EPS) Director Sam Gaye for alleged threats to his personal safety.
In a letter addressed to Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh, Nagbe’s legal team, led by Cllr. Saifuah-Mai Gray of the International Law Group, has called for an immediate investigation into what they described as a veiled threat issued by Gaye via WhatsApp following a radio interview conducted by Nagbe on March 31. The message, reportedly sent by Gaye, read: “You will hear from me.”
The timing and tone of the message, the lawyers argued, suggest an intent to intimidate, particularly in light of Gaye’s authority over state security personnel and access to firearms. “Given Mr. Gaye’s current role as Director of the EPS, which affords him access to state security apparatus and firearms, our client believes his life is at risk,” the complaint states.
The legal move follows a separate controversy in which Gaye, through his counsel headed by former Associate Justice Cllr. Kabineh M. Ja’neh, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Mr. Nagbe demanding a retraction of an alleged defamatory statement made during the OK FM interview. Gaye claims Nagbe accused him of having a photo in his bedroom depicting a gun pointed at former President Weah.
But Nagbe, responding swiftly through his legal team, categorically denied making any such accusation. “At no time did Mr. Nagbe accuse Mr. Gaye of possessing a photo in his bedroom depicting a gun at former President Weah,” the lawyers stated. “The record of the interview, when reviewed in its full and proper context, makes it clear that Mr. Nagbe made no such statement that rises to the level of defamation under Liberian law.”
Nagbe’s attorneys went further, accusing Gaye of attempting to weaponize the legal process to harass and intimidate their client. “Your demand for a retraction is respectfully denied. Should you be in possession of unedited, verifiable recordings or transcripts to support your allegation, we invite you to produce them,” the lawyers wrote, concluding that the matter is closed unless Gaye can provide credible evidence.
In light of the threat allegation, Nagbe’s legal team formally petitioned Justice Minister Tweh to open a criminal probe into the matter, assess the legality and implications of Gaye’s communication, and pursue prosecution if warranted. They also requested protective measures for their client to prevent potential abuse of public office for personal vendettas.
