Skip to main content

Dubious road investor jailed



The foreign national who allegedly attempted to dupe Liberia of US$32 million from its Federal Reserve’s account has been jailed at the Monrovia Central Prison following his re-arrest Monday, 17 December.
Mr. James Lamin Kargbo, believed to be a Sierra Leonean national, is accused of criminally gaining access to Liberia’s swift code and account number at the United States Federal Reserves as a result of engaging in dubious business talks with government officials from the Ministries of State and Finance, according to police findings.
He is accused of posing himself as an investor intending to give Liberia loan to finance its road projects.
But Montserrado County Attorney Cllr. Edwin Martin told Criminal Court “C” that defendant Kargbo “is one of those con-artists, fraudsters and imposters who is within the basin of West Africa purporting to be an international” personality.
President George Manneh Weah’s quest for roads across Liberia has pushed his administration into engaging a number of individuals and companies, including the signing of nearly a billion dollar agreement with controversial Singaporean financing firm Elton private limited and Burkinabe group EBOMAF which are yet to bring results.
So, upon gaining access to the country’s swift code, Kargbo and his alleged criminal enterprise demanded a transfer of US$32 million which would have significantly robbed Liberia of its reserves at a time of harsh economic conditions.
He was jailed at the Monrovia Central Prison on the order of the Monrovia City Court following his re-arrest by police and court officers on Monday.
He had just been released from government custody by Criminal Court “C” Judge J. Boima Kontoe on the basis of prosecution’s violation of his constitutional rights by detaining him beyond 48 hours, before being rearrested and jailed.
Judge Kontoe says under the constitution, every person arrested or detained is mandatorily required to be charged and presented before a court of competent jurisdiction within 48 hours.
But Kargbor was later arrested on the order of the Monrovia City Court and subsequently jailed. He will face trial following his indictment by government.
The accused was first arrested by police on 5 December at the Ministry of Finance, but on 12 December his lawyers filed a writ of habeas corpus, accusing the State of violating his rights.
Habeas corpus compels authorities to produce the living bodies of persons detained beyond 48 hours.Montserrado County Attorney Cllr. Martin says there is proof to validate Kargbo’s nationality as Sierra Leonean and his capacity as a businessman.
He says the defendant failed to show any formal communication exchanged between the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs and the Ministry of Finance who he claims had entered transactions and negotiations with him on behalf of the Liberian Government.
Cllr. Martin says Kargbo attempted to collect the international swift code for Liberia’s international savings abroad in order to criminally dupe the government of Liberia of millions of dollars, a plan which was cleverly arrested by the Liberia National Police (LNP).
By Winston W. Parley-Edited by Othello B. Garblah

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

President George Weah's One Day National Forum Successfully Attended by 26 Political Parties

On Thursday, August 8, 2018, President George Weah had a sit down with 26 political parties of Liberia.  The meeting aimed at advancing ideals that promote the spirit of national unity and political tolerance between opposition political parties and the government.  ANC, LP and UP attended the meeting as a team. According to Deputy Minister Eugene L. Fahngon, Deputy Minister for Press and Public Affairs at Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism, all 26 political parties attended and participated from start to finish.  Even though, social media was buzzing about AB Dillion walking out of the meeting, he walked out as an individual and not a political party, "the invitation was extended to political parties and not to individuals," Minister Fahngon stated in his live video.  Each political party gave ideals and recommendations, which made the meeting a great success.  According to  Deputy Minister Fahngon, "there will be future engagements as such.&quo

Liberia: Top 7 Iconic Music Videos Directed by Jackie Russ

​By Robert Serge Saint-Pe Alex Nyenga, alias, Jackie Russ has enjoyed a seven-year stint as a videographer which has put him behind the camera of numerous memorable Liberian music videos, earning him several nominations and awards. He has again proven himself as a top-notch video director over the past months, which has landed him nominations for the 2021 MTN – Liberian Music Awards (MLMA) for Best Music Videographer and the 2021 Liberian Entertainment Awards (LEA) for Video Director of The Year.  Even if Jackie Russ is not a familiar face, he is definitely a household name who has worked with many top Liberian artists and influential celebrities. One of his unhighlighted gesture is that he gifted Caroline M. Moore, better known as MC Caro with her first ever music video for her song “Bring Our Money Back” in 2018. Here is a look at the top seven iconic music videos directed by Jackie Russ. 7. Christoph Ft. Margas – Hold Your Polaruh (2016) “Hold Your Polaruh” was directed by Christoph

Top Five Liberian Wedding Songs

Check out these hot songs for an awesome Liberian wedding.  From the first dance to the grand march, these Liberian songs will set the mood just right for a wedding night of good time and celebration.   Kizzy W - Wait Nah: Perfect for a first dance on your wedding day  Spoil You With Love by Joseph Dean, KZee and Marvelous MC is already a popular song in Liberian weddings, perfect to march into the your reception hall.  Simple Mistake by Friday the Cellphone Man: A wedding is not a Liberian wedding without a grand march and this is the perfect song for a grand march.  Kamah by DenG: After the formality, it's time to party, this is a dance song and it's about love, a man bragging about the love he has for his woman.  Slow it Down by Benji Cavallia: A love song that you can dance to, a man bragging that he will do anything for his love.