The recent termination of nearly 200 agents from the Executive Protection Service (EPS) has sparked controversy and concern. The dismissed agents, who were tasked with providing security for the President, Vice President, Speaker, and other VIPs, claim they were summarily dismissed without due process. Their plea for intervention from the 55th National Legislature deserves serious consideration.
These agents, recruited between May and June 2018, allege that they were given legitimate employment letters and had successfully completed their probationary period. They claim that the EPS administration, under Director Sam Gaye, terminated their services without following the proper protocols outlined in the EPS Duty Manual and Regulations.
One of the gravest accusations made by the dismissed agents is that they were not provided with any form of initial screening or evaluation before their termination. They insist that their rights under the Liberian Constitution, including the right to due process and equal treatment under the law, were violated.
Their claim gains weight when considering Director Gaye’s statement during his confirmation hearing, where he declared his intention to dismiss many EPS agents. This, the dismissed agents argue, amounted to a premeditated action against them, and they feel unfairly targeted.
Moreover, the dismissed agents allege further mistreatment at the hands of the Liberia National Police (LNP). They claim that some of their colleagues were brutalized, arrested, and humiliated without cause. They call upon Inspector General Gregory Coleman to ensure the protection of their rights and to prevent further harassment.
The dismissed agents have given the LNP 72 hours to release their colleagues and are seeking urgent intervention from the National Legislature. Their plea is not only about their jobs but also about their rights to due process, fair treatment, and basic human rights.
One of the gravest accusations made by the dismissed agents is that they were not provided with any form of initial screening or evaluation before their termination. They insist that their rights under the Liberian Constitution, including the right to due process and equal treatment under the law, were violated.
It is imperative that the National Legislature takes this matter seriously. If the accusations made by the dismissed agents are true, it represents a serious breach of their constitutional rights. The principle of due process is fundamental to the rule of law, and its violation cannot be taken lightly.
The EPS, tasked with the crucial responsibility of protecting the nation’s leaders and VIPs, must operate within the bounds of the law. Any action that undermines the constitutional rights of its agents undermines the integrity and trustworthiness of the institution itself.
The dismissed agents have made a reasonable request for intervention. It is now up to the National Legislature to investigate these claims thoroughly and ensure that justice is served. Failure to do so would not only undermine the rights of these agents but would also erode the trust of the Liberian people in their government institutions.
The dismissed agents deserve a fair hearing and an opportunity to present their case. The National Legislature must act swiftly to address this matter and uphold the principles of justice and due process that are enshrined in the Liberian Constitution.
Failure to do so would be a failure of the very principles upon which our democracy is built.
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