On June 25, 2024, the High Command of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) has administratively discharged four personnel for the “Good of the Service and for conduct not in keeping with AFL standards.
According to a press release from Authority of the Amy, the conducts of the discharged personnel contravene the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, and Section 7.7(j) of the National Defense Act of 2008.
The dismissed personnel include: First Lieutenant (1Lt) Abraham Dolo (OF/2017-177), Private First Class (PFC) Kerkula Rocheforte (EN/2015-08/2367), Private (Pvt.) Essa Bility (EN/2022-09/2561).
The release said, dismissed 1Lt Abraham Dolo enlisted as a Private in the AFL in 2009, became a Second Lieutenant in 2017, and was promoted to First Lieutenant in 2020. He was last assigned to the 23rd Infantry Brigade.
Officer Dolo is guilty of intoxication and drug consumption. It can be recalled that in February 2024, a 15-year-old boy was shot in the shoulder by a friend at a local drinking spot in the Baptist Seminary, Paynesville Area, using Lt. Dolo’s firearm. Lt. Dolo admitted to the Liberian National Police and AFL Military Police that he had been intoxicated and left his firearm unattended while using the restroom. A subsequent medical examination on 1Lt Dolo tested him positive with marijuana.
In addition, PFC Kerkula Rocheforte is similarly guilty of illegal possession and consumption of harmful drug. Discharged PFC Kerkula Rocheforte enlisted in 2015 and was last assigned to the AFL Engineer Battalion in Gbarnga, Bong County. PFC Rocheforte was found in possession of 32 wraps of Kush drugs in the Barracks. He was later tested positive for marijuana at the 14 Military Hospital.
Discharged Pvt. Essa Bility enlisted in October 2022 and was last assigned to the Armed Forces Training Command. Pvt. Bility tested positive for four different illegal substances, including cocaine and marijuana.
It can be recalled that on June 21, 2024, Staff Sergeant Mohammed Rogers was also administratively discharged under Section 7.7(j) of the National Defense Act of 2008.
The authority for these discharges is His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia through the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, Maj. General Davidson F. Forleh.
The High Command of the AFL reminds its members of the “zero tolerance” policy on drug abuse and the importance of discipline, which is fundamental to national duty.
“Impunity will not be tolerated within our noble institution,” AFL High Command reassures the public of its commitment to maintaining discipline and professionalism as a “Force for Good.”
