-13 Cartoons, 8 Packs Disappeared At Headquarters
-4 Forensic Officers Under Spotlight
The Liberia National Police (LNP) which is knotted with integrity predicament for which it has reportedly already lost the confidence of majority of the Liberian people for the manner and form it executes its activities, is entangled with another critical issue that could further dent the little achievement of the Chris Massaquoi administration, The Public Agenda Reports.
Credible information from the Headquarters of the Liberia National Police (LNP) indicates that four police officers from the Forensic Department are being held accountable for 13 cartoons and 8 packs of single barrel rounds which mysteriously disappeared from the Forensic Evidence Room at the Police Headquarters.According to confidential sources from LNP Headquarters, the discovery of the mysterious disappearance of the gunshots was made on March 15, 2015 by officer Vally M. Sheriff who also works at the Forensic Lab.
The Police sources added that on November 1, 2014, the 13 cartoons and 8 rounds of ammunition (single barrel rounds) were arrested from Makoni Dorley by Joint Security Officers assigned in Ganta, Nimba County who later brought them to Monrovia and later turned over to the Crime Service Division.
On November 7, 2014, the rounds were turned over to the Forensic Evidence Room for analysis and safe keeping; they were received by Officer Terry N. Kerkula, according to Police sources, although Officer Kerkula is amongst suspects held for the missing rounds.
However, in the aftermath of circumstances that brackets the mysterious evaporation of the gunshots, a special investigative team headed by ACP, Alfred T. Quire was reportedly established to probe the merit of the case.
The following officers from the Forensic Lab and Interpol were held as suspects, some of whom were suspended before being heard by the investigated panel: Vally M. Sheriff, James E. Moore, Jerry N. Kerkula, Justine B. Bondo, Moses Williams and Varney A. M. Sheriff of the Interpol.
Amongst other things, the investigation concluded that since suspects, Vally M. Sheriff, James E. Moore and Terry N. Kerkula were those who had access to the keys of the forensic evidence room, which is highly restricted, and is controlled, managed/monitored and supervised by them, they were held accountable.
It was reported that during the investigation, it was discovered that Varney A.M. Sheriff persistently pleaded to take possession of the missing rounds. Although the controversial rounds mysteriously vanished in thin air, the police investigators did not establish any intrusion or burglary, something that led the panel with no alternative, but charge the suspects, Vally M. Sheriff, James E. Moore, Terry N. Kerkula and Varney A.M. Sheriff with Criminal Conspiracy and Theft of Property, pending court arbitration.
Meanwhile, Justine Bondo and Moses Williams were ordered reinstated into the LNP and released from further investigation for lack of evidence to indict and link them to the crime.
However, it not clear while police authorities chose to conceal findings from the investigative panel, because according to information gathered by the Public Agenda, Police Director, Col. Massaquoi and his deputies were given copies of the report since April 23, 2015.
When Police Spokesperson, Sam Collings was contacted, he said, the investigation was ongoing, perhaps without knowing that the report is with his bosses who are yet to respond to recommendations from the investigative panel.