Cummings Warns Cybercrime Law Must Not Be Used to Silence Critics

Published: September 23, 2026

MONROVIA – Liberia’s cybercrime law must not become a weapon against critics of public officials, opposition leader Alexander B. Cummings said Tuesday, adding his voice to a widening challenge to the law after the arrest of a man accused of cyberbullying Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung.

Cummings, political leader of the Alternative National Congress, told reporters in Monrovia that Liberia needs the law but that enforcement must not criminalize criticism of people in power.

“You cannot be a public official and not expect people to criticize you,” he said.

Cummings said the question is not whether Liberia should regulate cybercrime but how to do it without undermining free speech. “We need a cybercrime law,” he said.

He said provisions of the Cybercrime Law of 2025 could be broadly interpreted and open the door to selective enforcement against government critics, and that the law must clearly separate genuine cyber offenses from comment on the conduct of elected and appointed officials.

“We should protect people from cybercrime, but we should also protect freedom of speech,” Cummings said.

The debate over the law intensified after the arrest of a man identified as Wrato for allegedly cyberbullying Koung. Koung later asked for Wrato’s immediate release, saying he had “no desire to press charges.”

Former Information Minister Eugene Nagbe has said an executive committee instructed its lawyers to ask the Supreme Court to declare the law unconstitutional, arguing that it threatens democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of expression and political association.

The controversy has also drawn in Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman. Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe, political leader of the Liberian People’s Party, has called on President Joseph Boakai to dismiss Coleman, accusing the police chief of making himself a “culprit” and “co-conspirator.” Gongloe said that if he were president, he would already have removed Coleman.

Unity Party stalwart Mo Ali has defended Coleman, alleging that suspected drug cartel operatives are using propaganda and third parties to damage the police chief’s reputation because of his stance against drug trafficking. Ali did not provide evidence for the allegation. He said accusations against Coleman should be backed by tangible evidence and that his comments were not meant to shield Coleman from legitimate scrutiny.

“Freedom of speech is important,” Cummings said. “People must be allowed to express themselves.”