Police send 8 to court

The Liberian National Police say it has charged and sent to court eight suspects in connection with alleged arson attacks on the home of a Nigerian national, Henry O. Nandi, whom residents of the VOA community along the Robertsfield highway outside Monrovia accused of “allegedly killing” seven-year-old Reuben Paye and four-year-old Alvin Moses. 

The kids were found dead in an abandoned vehicle in the premises of Mr. Nandi on December 2 after they went missing the previous day. Angry residents allegedly staged arson attack against Mr. Nandi, burning his home and four vehicles.

The eight suspects sent to court include Raymond Brown, Stephen Wilson, Dubon Logan, Augustine Gbarpue, Emmanuel Diggs, Eric Karty, LassanaKannah and Michael.

Police Spokesman Sam Collins told reporters Monday, 14 December that the defendants have been sent to the Paynesville Magisterial Court, which has the legal jurisdiction to hear cases coming from such community.

He says they were charged for arson, theft of property and criminal mischief, adding “These are the people that allegedly burnt the house of O.J., the one that the community accused of allegedly killing the children.”

But Collins noted that police investigation shows there was no foul play and they have not found any clue yet to link O.J. to the death of the children. He concluded that to burn Mr. Nandi’s house was a commission of crime, thus, prompting police response to arrest the suspects in question.

Last week, Police Director Chris Massaquoi released a statement, informing the public that police investigation into the incident established that death of the two children was accidental.

Mr. Massaquoi said police have no evidence to link Mr. Nnadi to their death, and the coroner of Montserrado County also informed the police its inquest into the incident showed that the deaths of the children were accidental and/or not suspicious.

By Winston W. Parley-Edited by Jonathan Browne