Monrovia – The Liberia National Police (LNP) have forwarded Simeon G. Davis, the driver of the Collaborating Political Party (CPP), to the Monrovia Central Prison for allegedly absconding with US$65,000.00 from an elite of CPP, Martin S. Kollah.
The 37-year-old was charged with Theft of Property and Misapplication of Entrusted Property.
By Victoria G. Wesseh, Contributing Writer
“Based upon the case reported, Complainant Kollah, who was head of the CPP rally, said that on Thursday, December 15 2022 approximately 19:00, his black bag containing the following Cash and items: US$65,000.00, ECOWAS Passport, some pieces of UBA cheque Books, one (1) Techno Camon 7 phone, one (1) iPhone 7 and others important documents, got stolen by Mr. Davis.”
Complaint Kollah said that the back bag was given to Mr. Davis through one of his staff, Dearest Brumskine, based upon his instruction. But Davis would later abscond to an unknown destination, depriving the CPP of its assets and properties.
Kollah said one Rodney Wilson received from Mr. Paul Collins, head of the Finance of CPP the amount of US$25,000.00 in cash and they did sign the payment voucher.
He explained that after receiving said amount, the rally committee disbursed US$10,000.00 and was instructed to keep the balance of US$15,000.00 for disbursement to vendors on Thursday, December 15, 2022.
“That in a black backpack with two-sided pockets and placed the back bag containing the 65,000.00 right under a desk in his office and thereafter, he got out of his office and he and his co-chair Mr. Wilson walked downstairs outside the building to the rally committee operation office in order to arrange the crowd and vendors to receive payment relative to the December 17, 2022 rally,” he said.
While Davis acknowledged receiving the black bag, Kollah said he instructed him to carry bag with the money to put it in his assigned car CPP-8, and later told him on the phone to make sure he locked the car after putting the back in the car.
He also added that he told his driver to call him within five minutes after he leaves the crowd and he, (Kollah) did return upstairs in the building to his office and was about to disburse payment to vendors, beginning with Elder Jallah who is heading The water supply committee.
He said immediately he placed a phone call to his driver his phone was off.
Defendant Davis, for his part, denied the allegation Theft of Property brought against him by Kollah.
He told the LNP that on December 13,2022 at 15: 30, he received US$100.00 from Kollah to seek medical treatment, following his complaint to Kollah of ill health.
Davis said after receiving the money, he immediately told him (Kollah) that he was leaving to attend treatment relative to his health condition and his boss granted him the excuse but told him to leave the car key with CPP- 8 with one of the CPP drivers, which he said he did.
“I left the car with one William Sayonkon (alias Menyou), who is a driver with CPP, and left the CPP headquarters on 19 Street, Sinkor for his Zinnah Hill residence, GSA Road Road, Paynesville,” he said.
He further narrated that when he reached his house, he picked his bag and went to Sierra Leone parking at Duala, Bushrod Island, where he got on car and traveled to Bo Waterside, Republic of Liberia.
“When I reached at Bo Waterside, I slept due to his late arrival and on the 12th of December, 2022, I crossed the Liberia- Sierra Leone borders, and went to Togba Village in Boo, Sierra Leone to a herbalist for treatment,” he added.
Davis disclosed he had been taking treatment and when his treatment finished on January 16, 2023, he decided to return to Liberia and on January 17, at about 8:00 am.
Based on the facts and circumstances, coupled with the voluntary statement by others whose witness testimonies and background investigations with the LNP, defendant Davis was charged with the crimes of Theft of Property and Misapplication of Entrusted Property, which violate chapter 15, subchapter D. Section 15.51 & 15.56, of the revised penal law of Liberia, pending court trial.