⁃ As Police Officer Suspended Over Newport Street Arrest Incident
By Jerromie S. Walters
The Liberia National Police (LNP) has announced criminal charges against Zainab Bah following a confrontation with officers during a power theft inspection in Monrovia’s Newport Street community last month. The July 22 incident, which was captured in a widely circulated video, led to public outcry and prompted an internal investigation into the conduct of the officers involved.
Authorities revealed that Bah has been formally charged with simple assault for allegedly throwing a bench and splashing hot soup at police officers, as well as preventing arrest and disorderly conduct under Liberia’s Penal Law. Meanwhile, her co-accused, Ibrahim Jalloh, faces charges of power theft for allegedly tampering with an electricity meter to avoid billing.
The LNP’s investigation found that while Bah’s initial arrest was justified due to her resistance, officers failed to de-escalate the situation once she became passive. The report also determined that police did not make adequate efforts to accommodate her language barrier, as no translator was provided despite her husband being present.
In response to the findings, the LNP suspended Officer Alice M. Tokpah for one month without pay for misconduct, including the unjustified removal of Bah’s hijab and excessive handling of a child during the arrest. Another officer, Prince W. Chebo, was cleared of any wrongdoing.
The police force emphasized its commitment to accountability and professional conduct, stating that the disciplinary actions reflect their dedication to maintaining public trust. The case against Bah and Jalloh will now proceed to court for trial.
