Another Lofa Violence Suspect Arrested

Lofa County police have made an additional arrest, in connection with the Feb. 26 violence, which left four persons dead, several wounded and properties worth thousands of dollars destroyed.

Correspondent John Zubah told the New Dawn that police early this week arrested Adama Sumarue Kanneh, whose planned escaped from the county to unknown destination was discovered.

Kanneh, who claimed to be a student of the Free Pentecostal Mission School in Voinjama, has been charged with criminal attempt to commit murder and arson.

Kanneh is also accused of “shooting to kill” St. Joseph Catholic Church Priest John Yamma, in Voinjama.  Report say Yamma now station in Nimba, fled Voinjama after the incident for fear of this life.

The Priest is believed to have taken refuge at UNMIL local headquarters in Voinjama, during the violent riot. It was there that arrangements were said to have been finalized for his departure from the county.

The Priest is believed to have taken refuge at UNMIL’s local headquarters in Voinjama, Lofa County in the heat of the violence, from where his departure from Voinjama was arranged.

About 30 persons were arrested by state security with 8 formally charged and remanded behind bars for various offences not limited to criminal conspiracy. Adama Kanneh, the accused now in the police custody in Voinjama, has been providing conflicting statements.

Earlier, he told investigators that he was attending the Free Pentecostal Mission School in Voinjama up to the violence, while at another point, he claimed to be a contractor working with a road building group in Quardu Gboni District, noting “I was working with blacksmith shop on the day of the fracas.”

Interestingly, the Lofa County authority recently announced the suspension of Quardu Gboni District Commissioner, Mamadee Kamara. He was subsequently relieved of his post by Superintendent Galakpai Kortemah, following a mass meeting with elders of the district for his alleged involvement in the February 26, 2010 melee.

Kortemai told a news conference that the commissioner, along with seven others will shortly appear in Court on criminal charges.