-Say because he disrespects the Culture Ambassador
By Jerromie S. Walters
In a closed-door meeting with members of the National Council of Chiefs and Elders of Liberia (NCCEL) on Monday, February 5, 2024, traditional women from different parts of Liberia expressed their anger and dissatisfaction with controversial political commentator Nayabougua Olpa Yeazeahn, also known as Prophet Key, for what they proffered as consistent disrespect, and humiliation he has inflicted upon Amb. Juli Endee, their Traditional Queen.
The meeting, which lasted for several hours, was held with regret, as the women frowned at how Prophet Key has wrongly utilized his platform to repeatedly attack and malign Amb. Endee.
Amb. Juli Endee, a well-regarded figure in traditional affairs of Liberia has dedicated her life to promoting the rich cultural heritage of the state. Unfortunately, her presence in the role of Culture Ambassador has been under question over the last few months, as many believe she has held the post for way too long. This has greatly been heightened by Mr. Nayabougua Olpa Yeazeahn because he’s also interested in the position.
However, it appears that Prophet Key’s relentless targeting of Amb. Endee has deeply offended the traditional women, as they have noted that his abusive behavior not only undermines the position and respect due to their Traditional Queen but also demonstrates a complete disregard for all other traditional women.
Ma Watta Fahnbulleh, the Head Zoe of Grand Cape Mount County, noted their disappointment and said an insult targeted at Amb. Endee is also intended for them (zoes). “All the zoes we are not satisfied, that’s why we have not eaten. It’s hard for us and it’s hurting us, nobody is supposed to insult that woman, it’s all the zoes they have insulted.
She disagrees with concerns about the appointment or selection of a new Traditional Queen, says nothing can influence her (Juli) removal from the post/role. “When they change Ma Juli then they have changed us. She’s not a Zoe but she’s our Queen. All of the zoes, Juli is our Queen. We are not satisfied with it.
Ma Watta: “When you try that woman then you have tried us, and we won’t be satisfied with it because we want she should be with us. That’s the person that knows how to hold us good. We are known today because of that woman.” The traditional women expressed concerns over Prophet Key’s disregard for the decency of tradition. They viewed his repeated attacks on Amb. Endee as an affront to their entire community
Kumbasa Bowoley, Chair of, the Traditional Council of Lofa, says: “If you cuss one woman here, it’s not only that woman. This particular man that’s cussing on Facebook, is it something to hide? It’s hurting us. If he can go on air and insult our Ambassador, our Queen, who do you think he’s insulting, is it not us, the women?”
She added, “The old women are in the house, now they are crying because of how he insulted the Queen. Children can listen to it, children can see it, he disgraced us but it’s not for us, it’s for himself.” Madam Kumbasa Bowoley believes that the political commentator’s insult isn’t only directed at Amb. Endee, but the Traditional women in general. “He didn’t insult our Ambassador, he insulted the entire women in Liberia and we will stand back for it.”
Like scores of her other colleagues, Ma. Massah Kandakai, the Head Zoe of Montserrado County, tells journalists, “The man is abiding our Traditional Queen, Ma Juli and that’s what that’s hurting us. When you insult our Queen, you insult us.”
Enraged in anger, Ma. Watta Kamara, the Speaker of the Zoes Council in Lofa County, and member of the Female Traditional Zoes of Liberia expressed her disappointment about the situation, said they would act accordingly. “We are not feeling fine the way our Queen was treated, and all of us. When we talk too much, we will say something.
In a writ issued on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, Ambassador Endee informed the court to adjudge the defendant liable for general damages valued at Five Million United States Dollars to be decided by the trial jury. The complainant requested the court to hold the defendant for US$300,000 in punitive damages and US$250,000 for successful attorney fees.
Also in a petition filed before his honor judge J Kennedy Peabody, resident circuit court judge of the civil law court, plaintiff Queen Julie Endee averred that defendant Nayabougua Olpa Yeazeahn, alias Prophet Key in December 2023, on two separate occasions, he willfully, purposely and intentionally took to his social media platform where he engaged in a libelous and slanderous campaign to harm, defame, embarrass and humiliate plaintiff Endee.
The plaintiff stressed that the defendant is believed to be a Liberian citizen who currently resides in the Arab Kingdom of Morocco and operates a talk show on several social media outlets such as Facebook, and TikTok.
“The defendant did not just make defamatory and derogatory statements against her person but labeled the plaintiff as an indecent person who is engaged in inappropriate relationships with high profile persons. to name a few, former president Charles Taylor, current president George Weah, and is attempting to engage in an inappropriate relationship with the secretary general of the Unity Party, Amos Tweh.”
Meanwhile, the circuit court judge J Kennedy Peabody has summered the living body of defendant Nayabougua Olpa Yeazeahn, ALIAS Prophet Key to appear before the sixth judicial circuit, civil law court of Montserrado County in its March term of court, on March 18, 2024, to answer to complaints of the plaintiff.
The Traditional Queen Post/Role
For years, Liberia’s Traditional Queen, Ambassador Juli Endee, has been criticized for what many see as her deliberate refusal to let go of the title- “Culture Ambassador”, which they believe is an appointed government position.
When quizzed about her controversial role on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at an event commemorating the International Human Rights Defenders Day in Sinkor,
Amb. Juli Endee confidently clarified that she doesn’t occupy an appointed position, but rather a title that was bestowed upon her by fallen Liberian politician David D. Kpormakpor. More substantively, she clapped at the unsubstantial claims in the public sphere and revealed that she doesn’t have a budget, an office, or staff that can be seen or considered as government appointee (s) in the Culture Ambassador’s office.
Amb. Endee: “Let them do what they have to do, and say what they have to say, talk is cheap. I will continue to serve the people of Liberia, this is a mere title bestowed upon me by David D. Kpormakpor, so that honor that they gave me, I’m going to respect it and continue to promote the image of Liberia through culture and use culture as a medium of communication to promote Liberia,” Amb. Juli Endee narrates.
