Liberia: House Summons Police IG Over Traffic Citation To Lawmaker

The House of Representatives has called the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police (LNP). This is due to a traffic citation issued to Rep. Anthony F. Williams from Maryland County. An official letter from the Chief Clerk details this summons. It accuses police officers of being "disrespectful" during their encounter with Rep. Williams.

On March 25, 2025, Superintendent Melvin Gray stopped a vehicle without license plates. He found that the unregistered vehicle belonged to Rep. Williams. Following standard procedures, Gray issued a traffic citation.

However, Rep. Williams contacted senior police officials immediately after the stop. He demanded that the Police Inspector General come to the Capitol Building. During a meeting with over 15 lawmakers, many objected to the traffic stop. They argued that elected officials should have exemptions for security reasons.

The legislators also criticized the use of body cameras by police officers, calling it "gross disrespect." In response to Rep. Williams' complaint, the House issued an official summons to the Police Inspector General and two deputies. They are required to appear on March 31, 2025.

The letter from Chief Clerk Mildred N. Masayon invites them to address this issue at 10:00 a.m. The leadership is concerned about Rep. Williams' encounter with officers Nelson Freeman and Melvin Gray.

Many believe that violating traffic rules is common among lawmakers. For example, Representative Momo Siaffa Kpoto was involved in a traffic standoff last month in Congo Town. He insisted on using "a third lane," causing congestion for hours.

Kpoto's government-assigned vehicle had license plate HOR 25 and was coming from Central Monrovia when he faced opposition from another vehicle traveling from Paynesville.