When we first began analysis on the shooting incident that left one dead recently in the home of Liberia's newly appointed Director of the Special Security Service, we mentioned the many emerging theories, which included a possible girlfriend feud between the two security officials found in the middle of it all. I actually read that for the first time in a local daily, and then on a sister website.

Well, the issue has popped up again, this time with the family of the slain officer circulating a letter in the press, calling on President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to intervene by setting up a special investigative board, suspending the two officials and turning over one for a possible criminal investigation.

The letter which was signed by Mrs. Ophelia Williams Yalartai, Sister & Big James Williams, Brother of the deceased, suggested that Cols. Chris Massaquoi and Ashford Peal are fully aware of the full story because according to them, it is an “issue surrounding girlfriend palaver between the two bosses.” They feel someone is about to get away with murder and justice may not prevail. They believe the men (Chris and Ashford) are being protected by the Executive Mansion by the fact that they are still kept on the job while a man is dead and Darlington Bleh struggles to explain the story.

What the family letter did not elaborate on is the so-called girlfriend theory. If Cols. Chris Massaquoi and Ashford Peal have been having a feud arising from differences over a girlfriend, the late Emmanuel Williams who was bodyguard to Col. Massaquoi, must have known. If he knew, he might have told a family member or someone who he confided in. Well then, it is equally fair to say, if Peal contracted a hit man to take out Massaquoi, he might have hired someone he trusted and perhaps has close ties to. This would be Darlington Bleh, the officer who shot and killed Williams.

I hate to add to the family's pain but the letter is so vague that one will wonder if the Williams family has more they could tell us about the girlfriend theory. If they know more than we have heard, why not they come clean with the full story. I'm sure investigators will be interested in their story.

We have to be mindful of public sentiments and not be distracted or swayed by speculations, not without the possibility that the girlfriend theory may be legitimate and could lead us to the best clues. Even if the girlfriend theory looks good, it does not mean it is good. We have to be able to get more people to talk.

 Chris Massaquoi must address the shooting. It was his bodyguard that was killed. It was at his residence it happened; and it involved men under his direct supervision. He is not a strange man to this kind of controversy. Let him talk. Darlington Bleh should talk more that he knows. Ashford Peal should go back to the CID and be given the opportunity to give more statements and answer additional questions because he is the deputy for operations. It was during his operation that one of his men was shot and killed by one of his men.

Click here for Part I
Click here for Part II

Writes,
Gabriel Gworlekaju