Court orders Former Presidential Candidate arrested

The Monrovia City Court Stipendiary Magistrate has ordered the arrest of former Presidential Candidate of the Liberia Transformation Party (LTP) and two others for theft of Services.

This comes as a result of a complaint filed by a businessman named Suraju Ishola against Kennedy G. Sandy, Christina Shoniyi and Abraham Tiaquicyl for rendering a service in 2017 without being paid.

Mr. Ishola narrated that during the period of August, A. D. 2017 in Sinkor, Monrovia Rev. Sandy hired him (Ishola) to fix and prepare membership form, flyers, flex and posters, which sum up to US$16,630.00 to be used for election purposes.

He said having completed and prepared the above listed items, Rev. Sandy out of deception failed and refused to pay to him the said full amount, which represents services rendered.

Based upon this complaint, Magistrate Barco ordered the arrest of Rev. Sandy and others, stressing: “You are hereby commanded to ARREST the living body (ies) of Kennedy G. Sandy, Christina Shoniyi, Abraham Tiaquicyl, and others to be identified Defendant(s) and forthwith bring them before the Monrovia City Court, Temple of Theft of Services Justice Building, Montserrado County to answer the Charge of Theft of Services.”

Magistrate Barco furthered that said alleged act of the defendants being unlawful, wicked, criminal and intentional is in violation of Section 15.52 of the New Penal Law of Liberia there and then the crime herein defendants did do and commit.

Section 15.52 of the New Penal Law of Liberia states that: “A person is guilty of theft if:( a) He obtains services, known by him to be available only for compensation, by deception, threat, false token or other means to avoid payment for the services; or (b) Having control over the disposition of services of another to which he is not entitled, he diverts those services to his own benefit or to the benefit of another not entitled thereto. Where compensation for services is ordinarily paid immediately upon their rendition, as in the case of hotels, restaurants, and comparable establishments, absconding without payment or making provision to pay is prima facie evidence that the services were obtained by deception.”

The writ of arrest stated that “contrary to the form force and effect to the statutory laws of Liberia in such cases made and proven against the peace and dignity for this Republic and for so doing. This shall constitute your legal and sufficient authority and have you there writ of arrest.”

On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, the court arrested Christina Shoniyi and Abraham Tiaquicyl and were seen on the court bench at the Temple of Justice. Surprisingly, these two individuals (Christina and Abraham) were seen out of the court room of which made resulted to a Bill bond or Insurance to return to court when the matter being assigned for hearing.