Capitol Hill, Monrovia – Tensions escalated at the Liberian Senate on Thursday as Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. delivered a sharp rebuke to Liberia Rural Renewable Energy Agency (LRREA) Executive Director Samuel Nagbe during a contentious hearing over Facebook posts in which the government official criticized the Senate’s handling of the investigation into the reported US$19 million cocaine seizure at Roberts International Airport (RIA).
In one of the hearing’s most striking moments, Senator Snowe admonished Nagbe, saying: “You got to stop your alcohol intake. This is why you guys are misbehaving.”
The remark came as lawmakers intensified their questioning of Nagbe over a series of social media posts accusing the Upper House of interfering with an active criminal investigation and exceeding its constitutional oversight authority.
Nagbe appeared before the Senate after being summoned to explain the posts, which sparked widespread public debate over the limits of legislative oversight and the right of public officials to criticize government institutions.
Throughout the hearing, senators challenged the LRREA Executive Director to substantiate his claims that the Senate’s inquiry into the high-profile drug seizure could undermine the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
Lawmakers maintained that the Legislature is constitutionally empowered to exercise oversight over public institutions and matters of national importance.
Senator Snowe’s comments reflected the growing frustration among members of the Upper House, who argued that Nagbe’s public statements were not only misleading but also risked eroding public confidence in the Senate’s constitutional role.
Nagbe, however, defended his Facebook posts, insisting they reflected his personal views and were intended to caution against any actions that could compromise the independence of law enforcement agencies investigating the case.
Thursday’s appearance followed an earlier hearing in which senators instructed Nagbe to return accompanied by legal counsel after deliberations on whether his comments could amount to contempt of the Senate.
The proceedings are unfolding against the backdrop of one of Liberia’s most high-profile criminal investigations—the reported seizure of cocaine valued at more than US$19 million at Roberts International Airport. The case has drawn intense public scrutiny and renewed calls for transparency, accountability, and an impartial investigation.
While the Senate has defended its inquiry as a legitimate exercise of its constitutional oversight mandate, critics have questioned whether legislative hearings conducted alongside an active criminal investigation could affect the investigative process.
