By Our Reporter
The Liberian government of President George Manneh Weah says it will shortly issue an arrest order for vocal talk show host, Henry P. Costa, after the police carried out a search and seizure order by the Monrovia City Court for allegedly operating illegally and broadcasting “hate speech”.
Armed police on Thursday morning stormed Roots FM 102, after the station’s staff refused to take delivery of the Writ from the Court Sheriff, the Justice Ministry said.
Roots FM has also been charged with using the radio to spew profanity and invectives as well as extortion.
Solicitor General, Cllr. Syreneus Cephus told a news conference after the Liberia National Police (LNP) raid on the station, that an arrest warrant for Mr. Costa will shortly be issued both domestically and abroad. Mr. Costa is presently residing in the United States from where he broadcast via the internet.
“FM 102.7 specifically was engaged in broadcasting hate messages against people, against individuals and peaceful Liberian citizens and other forms of extortion and blackmail.
“This, in my opinion and the opinion of the Republic of Liberia, is a sheer public nuisance, disorderly conduct, and we could no longer condone a radio station that is not licensed, that is operating illegally to become an enterprise for extortion, and blackmail,” Solicitor General Cephus emphasized.
The Solicitor General said the court’s action followed an official complaint filed by the Ministry of Justice against the management of Roots FM for not adhering to the rules and regulations of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) that require a radio stations to obtain a valid license from the regulatory authority before operating in the country.
“We want to be categorical that in a democracy you need legitimate and licensed institutions to operate,” Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus told Journalists.
According to the Justice Ministry besides Roots FM 102.7, other stations FM 102.1, 102.5 were also operating illegally and allegedly engaged in inciting rioting and violence.
The closure of Costa’s radio was briefly resisted by angry supporters, after he rallied crowd to rush to the station and prevent its closure, minutes before the station fell silent.
Mr. Costa told his staff on air that if they were given any Writ they should “tear it” up.
There are reports in some quarters that the Roots FM had some time ago presented its registration papers to government but it was rejected, even after the station officials put forward the cash.
However, a former employee of Costa’s station, Broadcaster Jonathan Allen, who is currently with Freedom FM which the Press Union of Liberia recently said was also broadcasting hate speech, said it was true that Roots FM was operating illegally.
Mr. Allen said on live radio Thursday that it was a fact that the station was not officially issued the 102.7 frequency.
