Three LNP Officers Indicted

By R. Joyclyn Wea

The Liberia National Police (LNP) has arrested and charged three senior police officers for allegedly stealing several vehicles spare parts belonging to the LNP.

The vehicles in questioned were said to be donated by the Chinese Contingent of the departed United Nations Mission in Liberia.

Those officers indicted by the LNP include: co-defendant ACP. J. Jerry Jones, Former Chief of Motor Fleet Management Section, co-defendant ACP. Varney Jonny, Chief of Motor Pool at the LNP Headquarters and defendant Superintendent James Biah, Chief of Motor Pool at the National Police Training Academy.

During the incident, five vehicles and nine vehicles spare parts donated by the Chinese contingent that were parked at the national police training academy were allegedly taken away.

The street value of each of the five vehicles is put at forty-five thousand United States dollars (US$45,000.00) amounting to grand total of US$225,000.00.00-

Those senior officers were charged with multiple offenses ranging from theft of Property/Auto Boosting, to criminal facilitation, misapplication of entrusted property tampering in violations of chapter 10, chapter 15 sub-chapter (D) sections 15.51, and section 15.56 chapters 12 sub-chapter B section 12.34 of the Revised Penal Code among others.

Officers James Biah, Jerry Jones and Varney Johnny reportedly stole the vehicles’ spare parts at the Police Training Academy following an investigation by the Police Professional Standard Division.

Accordingly, since the arrest and subsequent charging of the officers by the LNP, some police authorities are believed to be preventing the transfer of the officers at the Monrovia City Court to face criminal prosecution consistent with law.