By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
MONROVIA – The Ex-Mayor of Monrovia City Jefferson T. Koijee has launched a scathing attack on Inspector General of Police Gregory Coleman, accusing him of deliberately deceiving the public about the circumstances surrounding the death of 32-year-old Matthew Mulbah, who was reportedly shot and killed by a police officer in Congo Town this week.
In a strongly worded statement issued Thursday, Koijee described Mulbah’s killing as “a sanctioned murder under the command structure of the Liberia National Police,” rejecting police claims that the deceased had attacked officers with a cutlass and knife.
“I want to state unequivocally that the death of Matthew Mulbah was not an accident or an isolated act of misconduct, but one sanctioned under the authority and command structure of the Liberia National Police,” Koijee said. “Justice must not only be demanded but delivered.”
The mayor extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, calling the incident “a troubling moment within our national security system” that calls for “reflection, accountability, and reform.”
Koijee alleged that Mulbah’s death was part of a “consistent pattern” of police-sanctioned killings under Coleman’s leadership, citing a series of incidents involving the alleged deaths of civilians at the hands of police officers.
He referenced several previous cases, including what he calls the February 2024 Kinjor ‘Massacre’ in which Essah Massaley and Abraham Kerkula were killed, and the 2025 deaths of teenagers James Kandy in Rehab and Mohammed Manobah in Brewerville.
He also named the cases of 28-year-old pregnant woman Musu Kiatamba, reportedly beaten to death in February 2025 by a police commander, and 17-year-old Favor, allegedly shot by an officer in Banjor.
“These continuous deaths are not accidents; they are the bitter fruits of a corrupt system, planted and nurtured under Gregory Coleman’s leadership,” Koijee said. “Under his watch, the police have become a gang of criminals rather than a force for safety.”
The Monrovia Mayor accused Coleman of reinstating officers with criminal records, naming Johnny Dean — identified as a former armed robbery suspect now serving as Chief of the Criminal Investigation Division — as one example.
“The badge that once symbolized service and honor has been traded for brutality and impunity,” Koijee declared. “Innocent lives are being lost because criminals have been given authority, guns, and power.”
Koijee also cited an alleged eyewitness account suggesting that Mulbah, who was reportedly suffering from a mental health episode, was shot multiple times in his own room after police forcibly entered his home. “He was dragged outside naked,” Koijee quoted the source as saying.
He accused Coleman of fabricating the police’s version of events, which claims that Mulbah attacked officers. “This blatant falsehood will be formally addressed by the family of Matthew Mulbah,” Koijee said, branding the police statement as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
Concluding his statement, Koijee called on Liberians to demand accountability and systemic reform. “Until this corrupt leadership is purged and the police are cleansed of their criminal elements, peace and justice will remain illusions,” he said. “The people of Liberia must rise to reclaim their right to safety from those who have betrayed the nation’s trust.”
