Liberia: Attorney Sambay Implicated in Illegal Release of 2 Armed Robbers

Attorney Amos Kawala Sembay, one of the government lawyers assigned to the Brewerville Magisterial Court, is undergoing investigation for his role in the release from prison of two persons, Gabriel Johnson and Osman Sambola, charged with armed robbery.

Defendants Johnson and Sambola were charged for allegedly using cutlasses and other dangerous weapons to rob a Korean Investor, Hungchi Choi, on October 21, 2021, in the Red Hills Community, Brewerville.

During the incident, according to the court writ of arrest, defendants Johnson and Sambola unlawfully jumped over Choi's fence before entering the victim's premises, with the weapons.

The writ was triggered after a thorough investigation of the incident by officers of the Liberian National Police (LNP).

The writ further claimed that the defendants surrounded the victim's premises and were heard chatting all around the house, saying, "you Chinese man you will die today."

During the time of their attack on the victim, the court records alleged, the defendants took the Korean Investor  under hostage and made alway with several valuable items, such as a Yamaha generator, industrial wire and used clothing, among others.

Unfortunately, when the defendants were arrested and sent to the Monrovia Central Prison to await their trial for armed robbery, because that crime is a non-bailable offense, Attorney Sembay, the document allegedly changed the crime of armed robbery to criminal trespassing which, is a lesser offence.

The reason why Sembay allegedly chose to change the defendants, has not been established.

But, according to a court document, dated December 4, 2021, just two months, while the defendants were still detained at Monrovia Central Prison, Sembay requested Magistrate Ernest Bana to resume the matter.

In that communication, Atty. Sembay informed Magistrate Bana about several irregularities made by the police to charge the defendants with armed robbery.

"There was an irregularity at which the writ of arrest was done against the defendants, that charged them with armed robbery," Sembay's December 4, letter claimed.

Sembay's requested to Magistrate Bana that "as of the attached police charge sheet, prosecution is constrained to humbly request and pray that the incarcerated defendants at the Monrovia Central Prison be brought to the court for further examination of the evidence presented by the state principle witness, Hungchi Choi, for consideration by the state/prosecution under the circumstances."

Further, Sembay said to Magistrate Bana, "you have to ensure that this request is made manifest for justice and fair play, the state will take financial obligations of the notice of assignment at the court's convenience." 

Immediately after Magistrate Bana granted Sembay's request to proceed with the case, surprisingly, a man identified as Attorney S. T. Kettor, appeared as a lawyer for the defendants, who was successful to have arranged with Sembay to compromise the release of the defendants, whose whereabouts are now a mystery.

According to the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), communication dated February 18,2022, Kettor is not a member of the bar. 

The letter, under the signature of Mr  Edward W. Bonwinkor, executive director/LNBA Secretariat, partially reads, "we, accordingly, have delved into the archives of the Liberian National Bar Association ( LNBA) and found the lawyer referred to as Atty. S.T. Kettor has no record at the Bar, and is therefore not a licensed lawyer."