MONROVIA – In a controversial move that has generated outrage, Associate Justice Yamie Q. Gbeisay of the Monrovia City Court has allegedly ordered the release of Chinese national Michael Shio, minutes after he was remanded at the Monrovia Central Prison. Shio, 41, along with three security guards, faces multiple charges, including Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Felonious Restraint, following the brutal torture of 31-year-old Momo David.
Despite the Monrovia City Court’s ruling to detain the suspects, sources indicate that Associate Justice Gbeisay exercised his authority to override the decision. Shio and his co-defendants had reportedly filed a bond, but legal experts suggest that the bond may not have met the necessary requirements for their release. The abrupt decision to free the accused has raised serious concerns about judicial independence and the potential influence of powerful individuals within Liberia’s legal system.
The case stems from an incident on January 13, 2025, in the Congo Town, Back Road Community, where Shio and his security guards, Emmanuel Nyumah, Andrew Barmoh, and Sunday Sumo, allegedly tortured Momo David. According to police investigations, the security guards, who work for Pilot Security Guard Service, arrested David after accusing him of attempting to steal a solar panel from Shio’s residence. Instead of turning him over to the police, they allegedly restrained him in a bathroom and subjected him to inhumane treatment.
Investigators say the abuse escalated when Shio himself poured hot oil over David’s chest and neck, causing severe burns. Shio is also accused of ordering his dogs to attack the victim, leaving him with deep bite wounds. Instead of seeking medical attention for David, the suspects allegedly kept him locked inside the compound for three days before handing him over to police in a deteriorating condition.
David’s mother, Watta Swary, has spoken out about her son’s ordeal, accusing the security guards of carrying out the assault on orders from Shio. According to her, David was brutalized, locked in the compound, and left to suffer as Shio’s dogs mauled him. His persistent cries eventually alerted community residents, leading to his release. Swary further alleged that her son was only taken to the police after the attack had left him gravely injured.
Eyewitnesses recount that after the security guards delivered David to the Zone-Three Police Station, officers there recommended that he be taken to a hospital. However, instead of following this directive, the security team allegedly abandoned him on the roadside, where his family later found him. He was eventually rushed to ELWA Hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Public outrage over the incident has been mounting, with community leaders in Congo Town demanding justice for David. Local residents, angered by the brutal nature of the attack, have called for the immediate prosecution of those responsible. The case gained further attention when it was revealed that Pilot Security Guard Service, the firm implicated in the assault, is owned by former National Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) boss Abraham Kromah.
During a community meeting on February 7, 2025, Michael Shio’s legal representative, Halary Koffa, brother of House Speaker Fonati Koffa, defended his client, claiming that David had attempted to steal solar lights. However, Koffa failed to present any security footage or tangible evidence to support this claim. Meanwhile, public pressure led the court to initially remand Shio and the three security guards for their involvement in the attack.
Despite the severity of the allegations and the initial court ruling, Justice Gbeisay’s decision to override the remand order has fueled concerns of judicial interference. Many observers question whether Shio, a foreign businessman, received preferential treatment that would not have been afforded to a Liberian citizen facing similar charges. Critics argue that such decisions undermine public confidence in the legal system and suggest that justice in Liberia is influenced by money and connections.
Meanwhile, Momo David remains hospitalized at ELWA, battling serious injuries sustained from the attack. His family has expressed frustration over the slow pace of justice, demanding that authorities take firm action against those responsible. With mounting pressure from the public and human rights groups, all eyes are now on the judiciary to determine whether the law will be applied fairly or if justice will once again be compromised.
