Monrovia – In a developing story from Liberia, the relationship between the ruling Unity Party and the Spoon Media Network appears to be deteriorating. The Spoon Media Network, owned by Stanton Witherspoon, a Liberian expatriate convicted of serious crimes in the United States, has been a significant player in Liberian politics, especially during the presidential campaign of Joe Boakai. Witherspoon’s network notably supported Boakai’s candidacy, but recent events suggest a growing rift.
Witherspoon has actively worked to ensure that the Unity Party meets the expectations of the Liberian populace, focusing on breaking stories involving senior officials within the Party. However, this investigative approach has reportedly led to tensions, with Boakai and his associates feeling increasingly threatened by the revelations. In response, they appear to be targeting whistleblowers who have provided information to Spoon Media.
The situation escalated recently with the arrest of Sawah Eric Zeaon, an employee in the office of Liberian Justice Minister Oswald Tweah. Zeaon was charged with leaking what the ministry described as “sensitive information.” The Ministry of Justice is currently conducting an investigation into the alleged leak of several confidential documents to the Spoon Media Network.
According to a statement from the Liberia National Police, Zeaon reportedly sold sensitive security information to Spoon FM for $100, a violation of the National Security Act of Liberia. Following preliminary investigations, he was brought to court for charges related to mishandling sensitive information and unlawful disclosure of confidential documents.
The police report indicates that Zeaon, a filing clerk in Minister Tweah’s office, mishandled documents that had already been reviewed and approved during high-level security meetings. This breach of protocol has raised serious concerns within the Ministry of Justice, prompting an investigation into the leak and the potential implications for national security.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of these developments for the Unity Party and Spoon Media Network remain uncertain. The crackdown on whistleblowers may signal a broader strategy to silence dissent and control the narrative in a politically charged environment. Observers will be closely monitoring how this situation evolves and its impact on Liberia’s political landscape.