In a courtroom packed with observers, suspended Director General of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Abraham Kromah, took the witness stand on October 8, 2024, to testify in a case involving alleged drug dealer George Obi, also known as “Original Japan.”
The testimony has raised eyebrows amid accusations that Kromah had a personal vendetta against Obi, stemming from a financial dispute.
During the proceedings, ‘Japan’ accused Kromah of owing him $2,700 for spare parts but claimed Kromah refused to pay despite multiple promises.
In response, Kromah denied any debt to ‘Japan’, asserting, “I owed Obi zero cents. There is no way ‘Japan’ would allow me to owe him money because he doesn’t extend credit for spare parts.”
The case took a dramatic turn when Kromah was questioned about when he first became aware of Japan’s alleged drug dealings.
He stated that he did not know of Obi’s involvement in drug trafficking until he assumed his role as Director General of the LDEA.
Kromah explained that intel from state security and community members alerted him to Obi’s activities, saying, “I was shocked when people told me about him being a peddler. As an experienced law enforcement practitioner, I did not hold it against Japan.”
Kromah’s testimony detailed his past interactions with Obi, primarily as a customer seeking vehicle repairs.
He expressed confusion upon learning of Obi’s alleged dual life as a drug dealer, stating, “Obi has been in the community doing spare parts business. He is expensive and never gave me a discount, so finding out he was dealing drugs was baffling.”
The case against Obi and several co-defendants includes charges of unlawful maintenance and distribution of controlled substances, criminal conspiracy, and unlicensed sale of drugs.
The total street value of the seized drugs is estimated at USD$31,625.00, a significant amount that highlights the gravity of the accusation.
The LDEA’s investigation reportedly uncovered large quantities of various illegal drugs, including heroin, marijuana, and tramadol.
Judge C.A. Blamo Dixon, ordered Kromah to appear as a subpoenaed witness after defense attorneys sought his testimony to clarify his role in the case.
The court also summoned the acting LDEA Officer in Charge, Christopher Peter, and requested CCTV footage from Obi’s residence.
The Grand Jury of Montserrado County has indicted Obi and others on multiple charges, stating that the defendants knowingly contributed to the drug problem in Liberia, potentially jeopardizing the nation’s youth.
As the trial continues, Kromah’s testimony is expected to play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the case, with both sides keenly aware of the implications for law enforcement integrity and the fight against drug trafficking in Liberia.
