Lofa County — Acting Immigration Commissioner General, Elijah F. Rufus, has vehemently denied accusations linking him to the murder of Mayoungor Keleko, a 45-year-old woman found dead in Duwoigomai Town, Voinjama District, on New Year’s Eve.
By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr. (331886458910)-[email protected]
Keleko’s death has sparked growing unrest in the region, with some locals accusing Rufus of involvement in ritualistic killings.
Keleko’s body was discovered along a farm road in Duwoigomai, prompting an investigation by local authorities.
The police arrested several suspects, including 19-year-old Yakpawolo Moisemai, who was identified as the primary suspect. A 15-member jury convened to investigate the case determined that foul play was involved, citing deep cuts on Keleko’s hands and a broken neck.
The situation has become even more tense due to a shared surname between Moisemai and the Immigration boss, Elijah Rufus.
Rumors quickly spread, suggesting that Rufus and Moisemai were related and that the Immigration chief might have orchestrated the murder for ritualistic purposes.
Reports indicate that Rufus’s father’s name is Rufus Moisemai, and Elijah reportedly changed his surname from Moisemai to Rufus, adopting his father’s first name.
However, Rufus has firmly denied any connection to Moisemai, stating that while they share the same surname, they are not related. He also clarified that he has not visited Duwoigomai Town since 1992, distancing himself from the events surrounding Keleko’s death.
Despite Rufus’s explanations, local residents have continued to accuse him of being involved in the crime. Eyewitnesses claim that Moisemai was heard attempting to confess details about Keleko’s death, leading authorities to separate him from the other suspects for safety reasons.
However, just days later, Moisemai was found dead in his prison cell, reportedly having hanged himself with his shirt. His body was taken to Tellewoyan Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The discovery of Moisemai’s body has further inflamed tensions, with angry residents of Voinjama blocking roads and setting fire to the local immigration booth, demanding an immediate investigation into the deaths of both Keleko and Moisemai.
In the face of these mounting accusations, Acting Commissioner Rufus has issued a strong statement, denying any involvement in ritualistic killings. He described the claims as “far-fetched” and without any sample of truth.
FrontPage Africa has gathered that the main suspect, Moisemai 19 and the current immigration boss Elijah F. Rufus are bearing the same surname with many people suggesting that the Immigration boss is related to the suspect and might have been the one that sent Yakpawolo Moisemai to murder Mayounger for ritualistic purposes.
The Commissioner vehemently denies these claims, asserting his innocence and describing himself as a servant of God.
He responded to the allegations, stating that the allegations are “Far-fetched and have no truth whatsoever,” emphasizing that he is a servant of God and not a ritualist. “I am not a ritualist, I am a servant of God he noted,”
He also clarified that the suspect named Moisemai, is also his family name but he is not related to the suspect. Rufus also revealed that he has not been in his (Rufus) own home Town, Duwoigomai Town where the murder of Mayounger occurred since 1992.
The Commissioner also explained the confusion between his name and the suspect’s, emphasizing that he was not present during the recent unrest.
He expressed concern for the safety of his officers and clarified the roles of different security agencies in maintaining order.
