BEATRICE MUNAH SIEH

LNP IG

Latest report reaching this paper indicates the Commander of the Criminal Division (CID) in Nimba County, James Karto has been charged with theft of property. CID is the division of the Liberia National Police (LNP). According to the report, Officer Karto was charged and placed behind bars on Thursday, April 16, 2009 in Sanniquellie in Nimba County for allegedly playing leading roles in the extortion of L$10,000 and other valuables from two local Liberian business men a month ago in the County.

The report noted that the two business men identified as Allen Yeaten and Stanley Teak had complained to Judge Ernest Paye Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court in the County that they were arrested by two officers of the National Security (NSA), accusing them of purchasing 125 grams of gold for ex- NPFL General Benjamin Yeaten. It was at this juncture the businessmen alleged that CID Commander Karto and others took bribe from them in order to pursue the matter in their (Businessmen) favor; an investigation upon which Judge Paye charged Officer Karto and jailed him pending trial.

Meanwhile, information has it that other top security officers in the County have also been charged with theft of property, even though it is yet to be independently established by this paper. However, we are exerting frantic efforts to contact the judicial officers in Nimba County to ascertain the information.