Published: September 3, 2025
MONROVIA — Business owners at the World Trade Center in Monrovia are criticizing the Liberia National Police for keeping the facility shut for more than three weeks, saying the move is unjustified and has crippled their livelihoods.
The Association of Professional Secretariats and Clerks told reporters Tuesday that the police closed the center under what they described as a “perceived court order.” Several individuals were arrested during the Aug. 11 raid but later released, while the facility remains sealed.
“Crime is not transferable, and the action of three persons should not be the basis to close a place that hosts multiple legitimate activities,” one member said. Another added, “We are not the ones who bring these documents. It is the same officials in government who bring these documents here. So why are the police authorities frightened when the world is changing through technology?”
A search warrant issued Aug. 14 by Stipendiary Magistrate L. Ben Barco of the Monrovia City Court ordered officers to search business desks at the World Trade Center and seize phones, laptops and other electronic devices belonging to several individuals. The writ said those individuals were suspected of multiple offenses, including forgery, theft and impersonation involving falsified documents such as university records, police clearances, travel documents, court papers and government seals.
The raid led to the confiscation of computers, printers and other equipment. But operators say the blanket closure has paralyzed legitimate activities and left many struggling to meet daily financial needs. On Tuesday, a reporter observed a heavy police presence at the building’s main entrance, barring business owners from entering.
Legislative Oversight
The House of Representatives has moved to intervene, scheduling hearings to investigate the raid and its aftermath. The action follows a communication from Montserrado County District 7 Rep. Emmanuel Dahn, who called for legislative oversight and accountability.
“For decades, the World Trade Center has served as a beacon of self-empowerment for Liberians from all walks of life,” Dahn said. “The recent actions of the police have disrupted livelihoods and deepened hardship for families who depend on these legitimate enterprises.”
The House leadership has arranged for representatives of the World Trade Center to brief Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon on Thursday. The LNP and the Patriotic Entrepreneurs of Liberia are expected to appear before lawmakers Monday to explain the raid.
The hearings will review allegations of document fraud, examine the legality of the police operation and assess its broader impact on entrepreneurship and civil liberties. Community leaders welcomed the intervention, calling it a necessary step toward transparency and peaceful resolution.
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