By Yassah J. Wright
Counselor Patto Jarba, County Attorney, Bomi County, has been accused of supporting the escape of a prime defendant, Fatu Kanneh.
Madam Kanneh is on trial in connection to the sale and scrapping of equipment, and machineries valued at over US$2 million without proper authorization.
She remains at large together with Bomi County administrative officer, Alphonso M. Sherman, and one Abraham Barry.
The pair were charged with burglary, theft of property, criminal conspiracy, criminal attempt to commit theft, criminal facilitation, criminal solicitation and criminal mischief.
The machines and equipment in question, were placed in the possession of Hans Armstrong, a British investor, based on a ruling of Judge Blamo Dixon of Criminal Court ‘C’ of Montserrado County.
Judge Dixon’s ruling followed a lengthy trial between Mr. Armstrong, and residents of the Sackie Township, Bomi County.
In a cellphone interview with a team of journalists, regarding the incident, the regional CID commander of Bomi, Grand Cape Mount and Gbarpolu counties, claimed that Cllr. Jarba was instrumental in the escape of defendant Fatu Kanneh.
Alex Diggs alleged that during a recent meeting at the Ministry of Justice, where Cllr. Jarba, Superintendent Miatta E. Dorley, defendant Sherman along with Mr. Armstrong, was invited to discuss a complaint of constant harassment filed by Supt. Dorley against Mr. Armstrong.
Unfortunately, Digg said, Mr. Armstrong did not show up for the meeting on the basis that he had filed the matter to the offices of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
Surprisingly, Diggs said, the meeting was canceled due to the absence of Mr. Armstrong.
“But, when we got outside of the meeting, we saw suspect Fatu standing with Supt. Dorley. I quickly informed Cllr. Jarba that the prime suspect we have been looking for is standing there holding a discussion with Supt. Dorley,” Diggs said.
He added that Cllr. Jarba instructed him to call Fatu, which he did.
“When Fatu walked to us, I reminded Cllr. Jarba, but the Attorney refused to allow me arrest the defendant. Instead, the County Attorney asked Fatu to report to his office the next day,” Diggs alleged.
“This was the best time to arrest Fatu, but my boss made us missed the opportunity. Currently, I don’t know the whereabouts of Fatu.”
When Cllr. Jarba was contacted, she described the allegations as ” baseless and rubbish.”
“I cannot respond to your questions. If you want the answers to your question, you can go to my bosses, the Justice Minister, and the Solicitor General,” Cllr. Jarba replied.
In the court’s document, defendant Sherman along with co-defendants Fatu Kamara, and Abraham Barry, both of whom are at large, was investigated and charged based upon a complaint filed against them by Hans Armstrong through his lawyer, Attorney Mbivulo Blama of the Liberia Law Group.
The court’s document alleges that the defendants criminally and willfully did in their individual conducts whereas on May 16, 2025, defendant Sherman with total disregard to the laws of Liberia and respect for property rights put out publications addressed to the Universal Scrap Dealers Company.
According to the complaints, October 13, the law firm intimated that their client earth moving machines or equipment packed in Sackie Town, Senjeh District, Bomi County, was scrapped and sold by Sherman, as indicated in a notice of sale dated May 16, 2025.