Monrovia, Liberia — Former Monrovia City Mayor Jefferson Tamba Koijee is experiencing renewed public vindication as a growing body of testimonies, police findings, and public admissions continue to challenge allegations that for years dominated Liberia’s political and media discourse.
Over the past several years, Koijee has been repeatedly accused of offenses ranging from murder and electoral violence to arms trafficking and human rights abuses. However, recent developments involving journalists, political figures, law-enforcement authorities, and social media activists have cast serious doubt on many of those claims, with some accusers publicly recanting and others being contradicted by official records.
Caldwell Murder Allegation Revisited
One of the most damaging accusations dates back to April 22, 2021, when talk-show host Henry P. Costa alleged during a live broadcast that Koijee was responsible for the killing of a man in Caldwell following a land dispute.
During the same broadcast, a woman introduced as a spokesperson for the victim’s family told listeners that Koijee’s name had never been mentioned by her brother in connection with the dispute. She further stated that there was no evidence indicating her brother had ever met Koijee or had any conflict with him.
Despite this clarification, the allegation persisted in public discourse. To date, Koijee has never been arrested, charged, or formally investigated in relation to the Caldwell murder.
By-Election Violence Claims Questioned
In 2019, Koijee was also accused of involvement in violence during the Montserrado County District #13 by-elections, including claims that three people were killed.
However, legislative reviews and official findings at the time reportedly did not support assertions linking Koijee to the deaths, and no criminal liability was established against him.
Journalist Publicly Refutes Assault Claim
Further weakening the allegations against Koijee, journalist Lennart Dodoo, Managing Editor of The Liberian Investigator and former News Desk Chief of FrontPage Africa, on December 13, 2025, publicly rejected claims that Koijee assaulted him and confiscated his professional equipment in March 2021.
The allegation, published by DTV Liberia, was dismissed by Dodoo as false, and he called on the outlet to issue a correction.
“As a media professional, truth and accuracy must always come first,” Dodoo said.
Police Clear Koijee in Arms Importation Case
On July 23, 2024, the Liberia National Police (LNP) announced the conclusion of a review into the January 6, 2023 arms-importation investigation, which had generated widespread speculation on social media.
Addressing a press conference, Inspector General Col. Gregory O. W. Coleman confirmed that the original investigation was “authentic and free from political influence,” naming Boyd Benjamin Baker as the sole suspect.
The LNP categorically stated that Jefferson Koijee was not linked to the ownership, importation, or distribution of the seized weapons.
Social Media Activist Issues Public Apology
In another significant development, social media activist Matina Konateh issued a live Facebook apology to Koijee, admitting that she falsely accused him of involvement in the murder case connected to former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott, in which Charlotte Musu died.
“I lied on Jefferson Koijee,” Konateh said during the broadcast.
Pattern of Disputed Claims
Koijee’s supporters argue that the Caldwell allegation, by-election violence claims, arms-importation rumors, and other accusations — including alleged travel bans, purported associations with Charles “Chuckie” Taylor, and claims that Koijee was a child soldier — form a broader pattern of unsubstantiated allegations amplified through media commentary and social platforms.
In several instances, those claims were later contradicted by evidence, official findings, or public reversals.
U.S. Sanctions Still Stand
Despite these domestic rebuttals, Koijee remains designated under U.S. sanctions, imposed between December 8 and 9, 2023, by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
OFAC cited alleged involvement in serious human rights abuses and corruption. The designation resulted in asset freezes and other restrictions under U.S. law.
Koijee has consistently rejected the sanctions and continues to maintain his innocence.
