FIND On Prosecutors’ Delay In Investigating Murder Suspect In Bong
By Patrick Stephen Tokpah -Bong
The Executive Director of the Foundation for International Dignity (FIND), Aaron G.V. Juakollie, has revealed that he is deeply concerned or worried over the delay in the investigation and prosecution of an alleged murder case involving Bigboy Flomo, which incident occurred on November 24, 2021 around Morris B. Davis Town Rock Crusher C ommunity in Kokoyah Statutory District, Bong County.
According to the report, Bigboy Flomo’s alleged murder has been investigated along with an autopsy report form signed on January 20, 2022, by pathologists Dr. Benedict B. Kolee and Dr. Zoeborn B. Kparteh and sent to court on February 5, 2022.
He said these different investigative reports seem to be biased, thus causing the delay in the prosecution or trial. For example, the Autopsy report attributed the cause of death to four factors: Hypovolemia shock, Massive seepage, Multiple soft tissues and bony injuries, and High-velocity blunt force injury consistent with a hit by a moving train.
“This report has left us with more questions than answers. Is it only a train that can cause velocity blunt on the human body? Can other things cause velocity blunt on the human body, like motor car, motorbike, and so on?”
Likewise, the LNP investigative report also seems incomplete as no statement was obtained from anyone at ARCERLOR MITTAL, though the police charged three (3) persons of tempering with physical evidence, which was caused by train to include Arthur Teah Jr, Sumo Nyeanate, and Anthony David.
Making the statement over the weekend in Gbarnga, Bong County, he noted that nothing has been done to these alleged perpetrators, and the lifeless body of the deceased, Big-Boy Flomo, is still languishing at the St. Kennedy Funeral Home since November 25, 2022 nearly three and half years.
The FIND Executive Director believes that if nothing is done about this matter, it will be considered selective justice. “As the saying goes, justice delayed is justice denied,” he stressed.
The FIND Executive Director is also concerned with the absence of a signed coroner in Bong County since the death of Mr. Jacob Sumo who was serving as a coroner.
A coroner is a public official who presides over an inquest into unnatural deaths, and who may have (or historically had) additional powers such as investigating cases of treasure trove.
The absence of a coroner poses several vacuums in the investigation of alleged homicide cases in Bong County for which Big Boy Flomo’s is no exception
Meanwhile, FIND Executive Director Aaron G.V Juaquellie is calling on the government through the Minister of Justice, Cllr N. Oswald Tweh, to reinvestigate the suspicious death of Big Boy Flomo, including a new autopsy examination.
Moreover, Mr. Juaquellie is also calling on the government to appoint and assign a coroner in Bong County, something which he said is required by law.
The absence of a coroner in Bong County for nearly a decade is a clear act of omission on the part of the government, thus violating the rights of the people of Bong County.
FIND is calling on all the protection actors in Bong County especially the Civil Society organizations (CSOs), the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) the international partners like the Office of High Commission on Human Rights (OHCHR) to closely monitor and follow the situation so that justice can be dispensed without fear or favor.
“We hope the Government of Liberia will take our concerns seriously,” he revealed.
