The Executive Protection Service (EPS) boss, Sam Gaye, has filed a lawsuit against Lenn Eugene Nagbe, the chief of staff to former President George Weah. Gaye is seeking US$2 million in damages, including general, punitive, and compensatory damages, along with coverage of all costs he will incur in the legal process. According to Gaye, Nagbe recklessly broadcast false allegations and made defamatory statements against him.
“And also because the Supreme Court of Liberia has further articulated, in clear and without the slightest ambiguity, that there is a duty on all of us to ascertain the real facts, the truth, before publishing what would impugn the reputation or image of a fellow citizen, whether big or small, rich or poor, educated or uneducated, and whether in the private sector or public sector. Plaintiff complains this is the solemn duty to discover the truth before shunning another person’s good name and reputation that the herein named Defendant, Eugene L. Nagbe, has flagrantly, recklessly and irresponsibly disregarded when he broadcast false allegations and defamatory utterances against Plaintiff, Sam Gaye.” Lawyers representing Mr. Gaye filed to the court.
It can be recalled, Lenn Eugene Nagbe stated on OK FM on March 31, 2025, that a lady allegedly told him and a few others about a photo in Sam Gaye’s bedroom purportedly depicting a gun aimed at former President George Weah. Gaye disputes these claims, arguing they were made without basis and have harmed his reputation.
The lawsuit between Lenn Eugene Nagbe and Sam Gaye has drawn comparisons to the Rodney Sieh case, where government officials have used legal action to silence dissent in Liberia. This trend suggests that some officials may resort to lawsuits to suppress criticism and maintain their authority. The Rodney Sieh case serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the potential repercussions of such legal battles, including imprisonment and hefty fines. By drawing parallels to this case, observers are warning that the Nagbe-Gaye lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for free speech and press freedom in Liberia.