With nearly 17 years since the end of Liberia’s civil crisis, one of the infamous names in the 14 years of civil war in Liberia, Ophoree Diah, has been arrested by officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP), investigated, charged, and forwarded to court for allegedly stealing US$65,000 from a Liberian based in the United States, Lucretia Turnquist.
Defendant Diah was placed on the prisoner bench in the Monrovia City Court, Temple of Justice, on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 to answer to the crime levied against him.
According to the police charge sheet, complainant Lucretia in 2020 wired to Liberia over US$65,000 to Cllr. Roosevelt Gould to purchase a dump truck for her. But prior to wiring the money, Cllr. Gould was hired by suspect Diah and Ellen Corkrum to serve as legal representative in drafting an Article of Incorporation for a company that was to be established as Wolf David Inc., and that defendant Diah was to have 50% share and a son of Ellen Corkrum the other 50% share.
She also noted that she actually got to know defendant Diah through her brother, Cyrus Cooper, who told her that he was his good friend.
The police charge sheet further said that Cllr. Gould, on behalf of the complainant, paid US$65,000 to the management of Ever Green Import and Export, located in Congo Town, for a white 2019 Howo Sino dump truck, but the vehicle remained parked at the company until the buyer was informed that they could no longer keep the vehicle at the premises.
According to the police charge sheet, while the counselor was looking for an area to have the truck kept, defendant Diah informed Cllr. Gould that he would keep the truck at his premises; as such, Cllr. Gould agreed and immediately communicated verbally with the company, providing full disclosure of defendant Diah’s identity as the person who would take custody of the truck.
As a result of the communication, defendant Diah took along with him a driver, only identified as Fayiah, and drove the vehicle to the place he chose, until the arrival of complainant Lucretia in Liberia.
Meanwhile, defendant Diah was told to provide the truck by Lucretia, but has refused. He was later invited by police investigators and advised to bring forth the truck, but he refused to do so. He was then arrested, investigated, and charged with multiple criminal offenses, including theft, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and misapplication of entrusted property.
