The Liberian National Police LNP Grand Gedeh County Detachment has arrested a man identified as Stancias Smith, 29, for misapplying funds given to him by his party to rent an office space in the county.
Mr. Smith is the County Chairperson for opposition political party known as Democratic Political Allegiance (DNA).
Stancias was given US$1,455 by his party to rent an office space in Zwedru but he cleverly and intentionally negotiated with the landlord and paid US$800 withholding US$600.
The county executives, having verified and discovered that the hall is below standard especially for that amount for its rental, called on Stancias to refund the balance; something he insisted not to do and this angered the executives who then forwarded the case to the Liberia National Police for its intervention.
Stancias was arrested on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, charged with Theft and Misapplication of Entrusted Property which is in line with the Revised Penal Law of Liberia Chapter 15.51.
He is currently in police cell and expected to be forwarded to the Zwedru City Magisterial Court shortly for trial.
During our conversation with the party executives including Alex G.K. Sannah, the county’s secretary and Ishmael Keita, the National Secretary of the DNA, they both confirmed that the money was given to Stancias and portion was misapplied.
They called on the court and police to ensure that justice is served in the case to avoid or minimize fraudulent and corrupt behavior in the party yea the societies.
In the meantime, the Women Wing Chair of the county, Linda Vorjloh, has been appointed to act as the accused was processed to court yesterday and the hearing into the matter will commence soon.
The arrest of Mr. Smith is a clear message to the Liberian people that the DNA Party is prepared to lead Liberia with a strong practice of the rule of law which will build the trust Liberians need to have a vibrant society.
The DNA Party is sounding a very strong warning to all of its partisans to be accountable and transparent in the works that they do for the party for the purpose keeping the sanctity of the party.
