PHOTO: Ophoree Diah (in green stripy shirt) facing his accuser at the Temple of Justice
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia– One of the rebel commanders in the Liberian civil war, Ophoree Diah has been dragged to court in the capital on charges of property theft.
Diah, who was convicted by Criminal Court “A” in Liberia for engaging in Mercenarism in neighbouring Ivory Coast in 2014, was today (July 13, 2021) sent to the Monrovia City Court for alleged theft of property and unauthorized use of vehicle and misapplication of entrusted property.
The former ULIMO-J rebel fighter and seventeen others were served several years in jail for the crime of Mercenarism after being sentenced to life in prison, but later released on Executive Clemency in separate years.
According to information gathered, Mr. Diah was among six other persons who were released during former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s regime under the influence of current Senator Zoe Pennue of Grand Gedeh County; while the remaining three were released in 2018 under the Weah led government.
During the Judicial process, five were released on motion of acquittal while additional four were released after argument before the Supreme Court in 2014.
In the current property theft case, Mr. Diah is being sued by a Liberian in the United States.
According to Police charge sheet, the complainant Lucretia K. Turnquist is a Liberian and she resides in the United States of America but is presently visiting Liberia.
She claimed that while she was in USA, she in 2020, wired to Liberia over sixty-five Thousand United States dollars (US$65,000) to counselor Roosevelt Gould to purchase a dump truck for her.
Prior to madam Lucretia K. Turnquist wiring the cash over US $65,000, Cllr. Roosevelt Gould was hired by suspect Ophoree Dish and madam Ellen Corkrun to serve as legal representative in drafting an Article of Incorporation for a company that to be established as Wolf David Inc. wherein suspect Diah was to have had 50% share and a son of madam Ellen Corkrun as having 50% share.
The charge sheet further said, more besides, the complainant actually got to know Defendant Ophoree Diah through a brother of her named Cyrus Cooper who her the defendant was a good friend of his.
Given the connection or link that existed between Cllr. Gould and defendant Diah during the period under review and when Cllr. Gould on behalf of the complainant had paid the full amount of sixty-five Thousand United States dollars to the management of ever Green Import and Export (LIB) corporation located Congo town, Monrovia Liberia for a white 2019 Howo Sino dump truck. The vehicle remained still parked at ever Green Import and Export (LIB) Corporation up until the company management informed Cllr. Gould that they could no longer kept the vehicle at their premises.
The Police charge sheet further states:
While, Cllr. Gould was looking for area to have the truck kept, defendant Ophoree Diah opted/ chose to have said vehicle kept at his premises as such; Cllr. Gould agreed and immediately communicated verbally with ever Green Import and Export LIB corporation providing full disclosure of defendant Diah’s identity as person that will take custody of the truck.
As the result of the herein mentioned, defendant Diah took along with him a driver only identified as Fayiah who drove the vehicle to a place where defendant Diah chose to be kept until the arrival of complainant Turnquist to Liberia. Given the above, Defendant Diah was invited by the investigation and advice to bring forth the 2019 Sino dump truck but have refused to do so.
Predicated upon. The aforesaid, defendant Diah was arrested and informed of his constitutional rights and was represented by Attorney David Katiah. The defendant Diah whose presence he chose to remain silent.
WHEREFORE and in view of the facts and circumstances as stated below:
That the vehicle registration documents and the hand to hand bill of sale for white 2019 Howo Sino Dump truck obtained from Ministry of transport and ever Green Import and Export LIB corporation carried the name of complainant Turnquist as onwer this given her title to the vehicle.
That 2019, Howo Sino Dump truck bearing serial number 191207052987, chassis number LZZ5ELSD3LD599353, engine capacity-6 cylinder, color white model-2020 and made in China is presently being possessed by defendant Diah who up to present has not shown title documents or any written instruments to show cause why he should not give the vehicle to the complainant who have a valid title.
Meanwhile, defendant Ophoree Diah has been formally charged with theft of property in violation of Chapter 15, section 15.51 A&B, misapplication of entrusted property, Chapter 15, section 15.55 of the revised penal law of Liberia pending trial by Court of competent.
But he has now been released on bail.