Senator, Prince Y. Johnson has publicly apologized for his ‘ unruely’ behavior exhibited against Journalists in Liberia’s northeastern Nimba County, saying that he was provoked.
The controversial Liberian Senator and former warlord during the country’s civil war, was heard in an interview conducted by Melvin Suah, a Journalist based in Nimba raining insults on the Reporter and the Journalism community, after he was asked a question he disliked.
But he has now apologized for his action and his apology comes after the President of Nimba County Journalists Association, Kennedy Dormah had gone public to express outrage, saying that since the incident occurred, the Senator has not shown any since of regret.
Mr. Domah said the action of the Lawmaker was not only exhibited against Melvin Suah, but against all Journalists in Liberia, giving a 72-hour ultimatum to Senator Johnson to publicly apologize to the journalism community.
“They have waited for over two weeks for the Senator speak to the issue but the Lawmaker has shown no regret,” Journalist Domah said.
Responding to the Journalists’ claims via a telephone interview on the local radio, Truth FM in Monrovia on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, Sen. Johnson said: “As a man of God, I was provoked and I insulted, but I am sorry.”
“I was tempted and to resist the temptation that is why I acted the way I did.
Like I said to you, I admitted my wrong and I know that as a man of God I should be humble but I was provoked by the reporter,” the controversial Nimba County Senator said.
Sen. Johnson explained that when the incident occurred, he called Journalist Melvin (the reporter who interviewed him) and made peace with him.
The Nimba County Senator, who is considered as Nimba County’s godfather, went on to say during the Truth FM telephone interview that his cup overflowed, that was how he responded in a hash mood.”
“The issue has been resolved” adding that “I am very sorry.”
He said he was worried about the COVID-19 and other national issues and he took medicine have some rest, but his sleep was disrupted by the Journalist.
Sen. Prince Jonson is one of the officials who often uses community radio stations in the county. He promised to call the radios to speak to the people of country.
This is not the first time for the Nimba Lawmaker has rained insults on people of his County when he is asked about War Crimes Court.
Sen Johnson and Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe along with other Representatives have been at each other’s throat for their disagreement over the establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia. Report by Mark N. Mengonfia, mmenginfia@gmail.com