Monrovia – Sheikh Omarou Sheriff, Chief Govt Officer of Metropolis Lion Inc., has expressed concern over what he describes as an unfair and damaging choice by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Fee (LACC) to put him below a journey ban, regardless of his full cooperation with investigators in a case involving street building tools procured for Gbarpolu County.
By Willie Tokpah
Sheriff, together with 19 others, together with former Liberia Telecommunications Authority boss Abdullah Kamara, former NOCAL CEO Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis, and former LRRRC Govt Director Patrick T. Worzie, was just lately positioned on a short lived journey restriction by the LACC. The transfer is a part of ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and monetary irregularities.
Nonetheless, Sheriff says he was by no means investigated, indicted, or accused of any wrongdoing. In keeping with him, his firm was contracted by the Ministry of Inner Affairs in 2023 to produce a yellow earth-moving machine for street works in Gbarpolu County, valued at practically US$400,000. He insists that his involvement was restricted to the procurement and supply of the tools.
“I used to be merely requested to make clear the standing of a machine we procured and delivered. I cooperated absolutely, submitted all paperwork, and even facilitated an on-site inspection of the tools,” Sheriff informed FrontPageAfrica.
“Now, with none formal fees or accusations, my identify is on a journey restriction listing, which has severely broken my private {and professional} repute.”
Sheriff mentioned Metropolis Lion Inc. received the federal government contract by a aggressive public bidding course of. The machine was delivered to the Freeport of Monrovia however skilled delays in clearance resulting from late processing of duty-free documentation by the federal government. To forestall the tools from being thought of deserted, Sheriff mentioned Metropolis Lion paid US$15,000 to reclaim it in good religion.
He alleged that Gbarpolu County’s then-Superintendent, Sam Zinnah, eliminated the machine from the port with out official clearance or inspection by the Ministry of Inner Affairs. He added that the tools was additionally taken earlier than the producer may correctly assemble it, doubtlessly affecting its performance.
Sheriff acknowledged that he was contacted by an LACC investigator, recognized solely as “Abel,” who questioned him based mostly on claims that Metropolis Lion had didn’t ship the tools. He mentioned he instantly invited the Fee to examine the machine, and the LACC later confirmed that the tools was current and proper.
“I even requested them to supply a written affirmation that the matter was resolved, however they mentioned they might comply with up. As a substitute, I used to be shocked to seek out my identify listed below journey restrictions,” Sheriff mentioned.
The Metropolis Lion CEO emphasised that his position ended with the profitable supply of the tools and that any mismanagement thereafter was not inside his management. He believes being listed amongst people below investigation has unfairly tarnished his repute.
“This motion is damaging. My firm competes globally, and now I’ve to elucidate to companions and shoppers why my identify is related to an investigation I used to be by no means a topic of,” he mentioned.
Sheriff added that each his household and enterprise associates have raised issues concerning the reputational hurt brought on by the LACC’s choice. Some companions are actually hesitant to proceed working with Metropolis Lion, fearing involvement in authorized or administrative points.
Sheriff is demanding that the LACC instantly take away his identify from the journey restriction listing and subject a proper clarification of his standing. He argues that punishing those that cooperate with anti-corruption efforts discourages transparency and weakens public belief.
“You possibly can’t punish somebody who supplies info in good religion. That’s not how justice or due course of works,” he mentioned.
