-In LDEA Encounter
Monrovia, Liberia – In a press briefing at the Temple of Justice on Tuesday, Pastor Clifford Payne publicly addressed what he termed “misleading and incorrect” reports regarding his recent interaction with the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), firmly denying any allegations of bribery or official interference.
The clergyman, who also holds a media relations role with the Group of 77 under the Office of the Second Lady, stated that his visit to the LDEA was strictly personal and unrelated to his government position. He was charged solely with obstruction of justice, a charge his legal team contests.
Pastor Payne explained that his presence at the LDEA stemmed from the arrest of a family member. His initial visit on Saturday was to check on his relative’s welfare. The situation escalated on Monday after he received a troubling tip from a third party.
“I was informed that certain LDEA officers were allegedly soliciting unauthorized payments from individuals in custody,” Pastor Payne told journalists. “My intention was solely to verify this information and seek clarity. I only asked questions to understand what was happening. Nobody was confronted in an aggressive or improper manner.”
He asserted that the LDEA “did not charge me in connection with any bribe,” and emphasized that the Office of the Vice President has “absolutely no involvement in this matter.”
Pastor Payne’s attorney, Abraham Wheon, provided a detailed chronology to counter the public narrative. He clarified that his client’s actions were consistently those of a concerned family member, not a government official attempting to exert influence.
“The claim that Pastor Payne attempted to bribe, influence, or obstruct LDEA officers is baseless,” Atty. Wheon stated. “The LDEA has not been able to substantiate these allegations.”
Atty. Wheon attributed much of the public confusion to misinterpretations on social media, where Pastor Payne’s inquiries were falsely framed as an attempt to offer a bribe. He also provided a crucial clarification regarding his client’s employment, specifying that Pastor Payne serves as a Media Relations Officer for the Group of 77 initiative within the Office of the Second Lady, and not directly under the Vice President.
Both Pastor Payne and his lawyer maintained that the discovery of his government ID during the Monday visit created a misconception that he was acting in an official capacity, which they insist is “entirely incorrect.”
“This entire situation has been fueled by misunderstanding and miscommunication,” Atty. Wheon concluded. “Pastor Payne acted only as a concerned family member. Our hope is that the ongoing investigation will establish the facts and bring this matter to a fair conclusion.”
The defense team is now awaiting the outcome of the LDEA’s investigation, which will determine if the obstruction charge will proceed to court. Through his public statement, Pastor Payne aims to dispel the misinformation and reaffirm his commitment to transparency.
