By Alfred Kollie, alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
About 11:30am local time, journalists in Liberia, government officials including family members of fallen Liberian broadcast journalist Zenu Miller on Wednesday February 26, 2020 gathered at the headquarters of the Press Union of Liberia the PUL on Clay Street in Central Monrovia to open the book of condolence for its fallen member Zenu Mille of OK FM.
Several professional media gurus including young journalists were all part of the ceremony on that were organized by the PUL when members of the union, government officials, and the public began signing the book of condolence lead by Liberia Information Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe followed by PUL Vice President Daniel Nyakona.
It was there, that the Chief Scribe of the PUL, Secretary General Musa Kanneh announced that the umbrella union for Liberian Journalists still hold firm on its position that the Liberian government of President George Weah launch an immediate probe into Miller’s allegations of being brutalized by members of the elite Executive Protection Force (EPS) at the SKD Sports Complex in late January.
In his Facebook post after the attack, the late respected Liberian broadcast Journalist, Miller said: “Got to see the doctor this morning. Am feeling pains in my chest and legs after the EPS’ brutality.”
The Union wants an independent committee to investigate, in order to establish what really happened and who was responsible, despite the government’s latest apology.
Also, despite the Miller family’s decision not to allow an autopsy on the late Journalist’s remains, the PUL still feels that an autopsy was necessary, Secretary General Kanneh said.
Making remarks on behalf of government, Liberian Information Minister Eugene Nagbe publically apologized on behalf of government to the Miller family and the Press Union of Liberia for not commissioning a formal inquiry into the alleged flogging of journalist Miller.
Mr. Zenu Miller a Liberian broadcast Journalist who work with private owned OK FM were pronounced dead on Saturday the 15th of February 2020 just few weeks after he was allegedly flogged by presidential security, the Executive Protection Service the EPS.
Minister Nagbe admitted that after the incident, government failed to launch an investigation into the matter something he said was wrong on the part of government.
‘’There was no formal communication sent to the government on the matter relating to assertion of EPS brutality against the late Miller,’’ he explained.
According to him, the level of controversies surrounding the death of Mr. Miller is due to government’s failure to commission an inquiry when the issue was raised by Zenu with Deputy Information Minister, Boakai Fofana.
Minister Nagbe maintain that government had intended to conduct an autopsy but will now listened to the family and that their decision of doing an autopsy that was earlier requested by several local and international bodies including the Press Union of Liberia will now be abandon.
A statement from the family of the late Zenu Miller noted that the medical report established that he died as a result of severe hypertension (high blood pressure) and that there was no need for an autopsy.
According to Information Minister, the move to conduct an autopsy was geared at ascertaining the real cause of Miller’s death.
The Liberian government, through the office of President George M. Weah, has earlier announced an autopsy on the remains of the late Liberian broadcast Journalist, Zenu Miller.
The government pronouncement comes amid mixed-reactions and growing speculations over the cause of the top broadcaster demise.
From his Facebook post, Miller complained of chest pain since he was reportedly manhandled by officers of the Executive Protection Service in January at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium during the most popular and well attended sporting even in Liberia, the National County Sports Meet.
According to Minister Nagbe, the government is also interested in helping the World to know circumstances or facts about Zenu death.
‘’Government also received calls from some of our bilateral partners for an autopsy to be conducted in order to establish the cause of death but we have to table the conduct of an autopsy based on the family demand to have their son bury in peace,’’ he said.
The Information Minister at the same time sympathizes with the bereaved family, the Press Union of Liberia for the untimely demise of Zenu Miller.
Despite the family refusal to conduct an autopsy as call by government, the PUL is still demanding an independent investigation in to circumstances surrounding the alleged flogging of its fallen journalist Zenu Miller.
For his part, PUL Vice President Daniel Nyakonah challenged journalists across Liberia to stand and support each other in whatever circumstances or crisis they may encounter.
Mr. Nyakonah noted that solidarity among media practitioners is at a lowest across Liberia something he said is affecting journalists in the country but appeal to all journalists to stand in solidarity with each other.
‘’We must all as media personnel stand ready and prepare to check out on each other, our business of knowing one another should not just be as journalists but should go beyond the recorders but should be there to avert situations that will embarrass our society or country not to wait for thing to erupt,’’ he said.
PUL believes that an independent investigation will help to allay all contentions on the actual cause of death and end rumor-mongering on the unfortunate death of true professional and also to avoid reoccurrence.
In remarks, a relative of the late Zenue Miller, John Miller said the family concluded that Zenu Millie should be laid to rest based on the medical report.
According to him, it is necessary to bury their son in peace noting that he is already gone and nothing can bring him back to life.
Zenu Miller, a Liberian broadcast Journalist, who work with private owned OK FM will be lay to rest this Saturday beginning with a silent wake keeping on Friday February 28, 2020 at his home behind the Rock International Church on the Robertfield highway, lower Margibi County.