Liberia’s Justice Minister Cllr. Frank Musa Dean says there is no criminal homicide established in the findings from a full investigation launched into the sudden death of Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) official Matthew Innis early this month.
Mr. Innis who was working as CBL’s Deputy Director for Micro-Finance in the Regulation and Supervision Department was mysteriously killed by an unknown hit – and – run vehicle at 2AM on 3 March at a time the public was demanding accountability for a controversial US$25m spearheaded by the Finance Ministry and CBL to mop – up excess Liberian Dollars.
Tragically a reported failing truck has further killed a Montserrado County Representative Adolph Lawrence who was demanding the appearance of Justice Minister Dean and Police Inspector General Col. Patrick Sudue to report on Mr. Innis’ mysterious death in the 72nd Community where the deceased resided.
Mr. Innis’ death has put some residents in a very difficult position to accept the narratives, particularly given the time of the incident, as they appear to harbor more suspicions on the incident.
However Cllr. Dean told scores of journalists Thursday, 28 March at the Ministry of Justice in Sinkor that findings from the investigation show that no criminal homicide has been established in the death of the late CBL official.
“During these findings, criminal homicide was not established. The Liberia National Police shall continue to pursue every lead geared at arresting the driver of the hit – and – run vehicle. The remains was turned over to the family for burial,” says Minister Dean.
Flanked by officials at the press conference including Police Chief Col. Sudue, Solicitor General Cllr. DarkuMulbah and the head of the Drugs Enforcement Agency, Minister Dean narrates how the investigation finds that the deceased left his 72nd Broad Street residence on Saturday, 2 March 2019 for his Central Bank office.
He says the deceased was seen back in his community at 2AM Sunday morning, 3 March but did not return home directly.
Instead, Minister Dean indicates that the deceased passed his intersection and stopped his vehicle on the main road.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]
Justice Minister Dean reports that the late Innis disembarked his vehicle without shoes on, but only wearing socks while his car’s engine was still beating.
Cllr. Dean claims that the deceased stood on the road looking at his vehicle when an unknown vehicle came from the 72nd direction, hit the deceased and escaped the scene.
The Justice Minister continues that a resident of 72nd known as Lucky Boy had witnessed the incident.
After Mr. Innis had been hit, Minister Dean explains that witness Lucky Boy decided to call the driver of the unknown vehicle to stop because he had hit someone.
However the Justice Minister says the unknown driver fled the scene with terrific speed.
Besides, Minister Dean indicates that Mrs. Lucky Richard and Henry F. Gaye, residents of the area, were also in the vicinity during the time the incident occurred.
According to him, these residents ran to the scene while the deceased was alive.
He reveals that Mr. Isiah T. Dickson also arrived on the scene with a blue Nissan vehicle, following which they preceded to the police checkpoint at Neezoe in Paynesville to report the situation.
When police responded to the incident via Dickson’s vehicle, Minister Dean explains that the late Innis was placed in his own vehicle and was taken to a clinic which referred the case to a bigger clinic for treatment.
Afterwards he says Innis was rushed to the ELWA Hospital before Dr. Anthony D. Josiah pronounced the victim dead on arrival.
According to him, family members arrived and death certificate was requested before transferring Innis’ corps to the Samuel A. Stryker Funeral Parlors for funeral arrangement.
Meanwhile, Minister Dean says items found in Mr. Innis’ vehicle including Samsung Galaxy cell phone, working ID card, one Laptop computer and charger, a bag and face cap, two pairs of sneakers and 9 musical CDs were turned over to the deceased’s families, while his vehicle was taken to the Zone 9 Police Station for processing . -In CBL Innis’ death .
By Lewis S. Teh –Edited by Winston W. Parley
