By Socrates Smythe Saywon
GBARPOLU COUNTY, LIBERIA – The Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarpolu County has ordered the arrest of Gbarpolu County Superintendent Sam K. Zinnah following a sweeping indictment on multiple criminal charges, including economic sabotage, theft of property, tax evasion, and violation of procurement and public finance laws.
According to court documents signed by Resident Circuit Judge Zuballaha Kizeku, Superintendent Zinnah is accused of conspiring with Omaru Sheriff, Chief Executive Officer of City Lion Inc., and other former county officials to defraud the Government of Liberia through a procurement scheme involving the purchase of heavy earth-moving equipment under the Gbarpolu County Social Development Fund.
The indictment alleges that in 2023, the Gbarpolu County Council approved more than US$400,000 for the purchase of a bulldozer, excavator, and motor grader, which were to be brand new. However, City Lion Inc., identified as the sole bidder, allegedly supplied refurbished and substandard machines that did not meet contractual standards. The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) investigation further claims that Zinnah and Sheriff colluded to conceal the defects of the equipment and facilitated the illegal clearance of two additional loader diggers imported in the county’s name to evade taxes.
Prosecutors allege that three separate payments amounting to LRD 80,750,000 were made to City Lion Inc. for the equipment. Despite the payments, the machines reportedly arrived months later, were of inferior quality, and failed to provide value for money. Investigators also accuse Zinnah of receiving US$6,400 from the vendor as a clearance fee for the loader diggers, which were not part of the county’s approved projects.
The charges against Superintendent Zinnah include fraud on the internal revenue of Liberia, misuse of public money, illegal disbursement and expenditure of public funds, illegal compensation for assistance in a government matter, criminal facilitation, criminal conspiracy, criminal solicitation, and tax evasion. City Lion’s CEO, Omaru Sheriff, along with other former Gbarpolu County officials, are also named in the indictment.
The court has ordered the sheriff of Gbarpolu County to arrest Zinnah and bring him before the court to answer to the charges. If convicted, the crimes carry severe penalties under Liberia’s Penal Code, including lengthy prison sentences and restitution of funds to the government.
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