Court Suspends Ruling on Bond Hearing in Gbarpolu Yellow Machines Case

By: Henry Gboluma |Gbarpolu County Correspondent

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‎Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County-Saturday, September 27, 2025 — The 16th Judicial Circuit Court in Bopolu City has suspended ruling on a motion to strike the prosecution’s exception to the bail bond posted by defendants in the high-profile Gbarpolu Yellow Machines case.

‎Defendants and Bond

‎Defendants include current Superintendent Sam K. Zinnah, former Superintendent J. Kieh Saah, and former Fiscal Affairs Superintendent Anthony Yorkor.

‎The defendants’ lawyers filed a bond of USD$ 850,000 on August 20, 2025.

‎Two other indicted individuals are Omaru Sheriff, Chief Executive Officer of City Lion, the company that secured the contract from the former county administration, and Robert Benda, Former Project Management Committee Chairman.

‎Case Overview

‎The Gbarpolu Yellow Machines case centers on allegations of corruption and abuse of public resources related to the procurement and management of heavy-duty equipment intended for county development.

‎The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) indicted the defendants, accusing them of conspiring to conceal defects in the machines and facilitating the illegal clearance of additional loader diggers to evade taxes.

‎The equipment, valued at over USD 400,000, was purchased by City Lion Inc., a private company, but reportedly remained non-operational for nearly a year.

‎Note: The three machines are reportedly parked around the Superintendent’s residence in Bopolu City.

‎The Court’s Decision

‎After arguments on September 25, 2025, Presiding Judge Zuballah A. Kizuku suspended the matter pending a regular notice of assignment.

‎Government lawyers argued that the bail bond filed on August 20, 2025, was defective for lack of proof of liquidity from the insurer, Sky Insurance Company.

‎They also requested the court re-arrest the defendants until the bond defects could be cured.

‎In contrast, the defendants’ lawyers contended that the bail bond filed is valid, and that the prosecution’s exception was received late on August 26, 2025.

‎The defendants’ lawyers subsequently prayed for that prosecution’s exception should be struck out to pave the way for trial.

‎Public Reactions and Ongoing Proceedings

‎People in Gbarpolu County are eagerly awaiting the bond hearing outcome, hoping the trial will commence promptly and that justice and accountability will prevail.

‎The case has sparked public scrutiny over transparency and integrity in county procurement processes.

‎Background

‎The indictment was handed down by the Grand Jury at the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court in Bopolu City on August 14, 2025.

‎Charges include Economic Sabotage, Illegal Compensation for Government Matters, Theft of Property, Criminal Facilitation, Criminal Conspiracy, Violations of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) and Public Financial Management (PFM) laws, Criminal Solicitation, and Tax Evasion, all under Liberia’s New Penal Law (Title 26).

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‎On July 1, 2025, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) announced a travel ban on the accused as investigations continued.

‎The contested equipment includes a bulldozer, excavator, and motor grader.

‎These earth moving equipment were approved during the 2023 Gbarpolu County Council Sitting in Bopolu City that was presided over by former Gbarpolu County Representative Cllr. A. Kanie Wesso.

‎As this high-profile case progress, observers will be watching closely to ensure due process and transparent stewardship of public resources.