Claim: "Prince Johnson's health deteriorated since the pronouncement of the establishment of the war and economic crimes court by President Boakai."
Verdict: Unproven; we found no record linking the deterioration of late Nimba Senator Prince Y. Johnson's health to the proclamation of war and the economic crimes court establishment.
Full Text: Garrison Yealue, a senatorial candidate in the upcoming Nimba by-election, in an interview (24:15) on Radio Gompa, claimed that deceased senator Prince Y. Johnson's health deteriorated after President Joseph Boakai pronounced the establishment of the war crimes court.
Yealue, also a former representative of District 4, Nimba County, is against the establishment of the court because he believes that the pronouncement from Boakai contributed to the late senator's demise.
In the same interview, Yealue acknowledged that while he served as a representative, he filed a request to reject the court's creation, and he was perplexed that, despite Johnson's support for Boakai's ascendancy, Boakai did not give Johnson an opportunity and declared the court's establishment.
Verification: We contacted Yealue, but he has yet to respond. When he does, this report will be updated.
Johnson spent 19 years serving as a senator and died on November 28, 2024. He was one of Liberia’s most feared and charismatic warlords. He passed away at the age of 72 in a hospital in a suburb of Monrovia.
It can be recalled that Czar Mabulu Palay, a key member of Johnson’s Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), was dismissed from his position as Director of Health and Occupational Safety at the Ministry of Labor.
Palay criticized the Unity Party of Boakai during Senator Johnson’s funeral. He accused the party leaders of abandoning the late senator after the elections, remarks that resonated with many but also drew sharp rebuke from government officials.
In an article published by FrontPage Africa, the deceased senator expressed betrayal by the Boakai-Koung leadership to prosecute the warlord.
Even though before his death, Johnson expressed his dissatisfaction with the Liberian government’s push for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court in the country, the resolution of the court was then signed by Johnson.
It can be recalled neighbors told FPA that Johnson returned to Monrovia on Wednesday, November 27, after attending the dedication of a PYJ Polytechnic expansion in Nimba the day before.
Conclusion: The claim that PYJ’s health deteriorated after the pronouncement of the establishment of the war and economic crimes court is unproven. Johnson died in the hospital on Thursday, November 28, after experiencing a fall at his home, resulting in a coma from which he did not recover, the family said.
Conclusion: The claim that PYJ’s health deteriorated after the pronouncement of the establishment of the war and economic crimes court is unproven. Johnson died in the hospital on Thursday, November 28, after experiencing a fall at his home, resulting in a coma from which he did not recover, the family said.
