Senate Secretary Singbeh’s US$5M Theft Case May Delay

The  possibility that the two Czech Republic investors, Martin and Pavel Miloschewsky getting justice in the ongoing  US$5 million theft and economic sabotage case that involves the Senate Secretary, Nanborlor Singbeh, and two commercial banks, the Ecobank and Afriland First Bank, rest squarely with the September 6 decision of Criminal Court 'C.’

Judge Ousmane Feika's Monday's decision is triggered by a request of the defense team asking the court not to allow Singbeh and his now 12 co-defendants that are currently under the jurisdiction of the court to defend themselves against the Miloschewsky brother accusation, if the prosecutors cannot ensure the physical appearance of the three  principal defendants that are widely believed to be Singbeh's Czech Republic co-conspirators, two of whom are arrested in the Republic Croatia and France.

Defendant Karel Sochor was arrested in Croatia and he is going through his extradition proceedings in that country, while Petr Pesek was also picked up by security in France and he is fighting his extradition proceedings. The arrest of the two Czech Republic co-defendants is based upon an Interpol arrest warrant issued by the Liberian National Police (LNP) for their incarceration and subsequent extradition to Liberia to face a criminal trial.

Co-defendant Ales Sramek's whereabouts is unknown, but the defense lawyers are demanding that the three men might appear in court in person before the case can resume. The prosecutors have seriously resisted this request and subsequently filed an application before Judge Feika to have the trial of the three Czech Republic nationals separated from the already 13 individuals including the two banks, Ecobank and Afriland First Bank are yet to be arraigned to answer to the Indictment as to whether they are guilty or not.

Importantly, if Judge Feika were to accept the prosecutors’ argument, which by the law is legal and helpful for the image of the justice system of the country, then, it means that the case will immediately resume.

On the contrary, the Miloschewsky brothers, who because of the COVID 19 restrictions cannot come to the country to defend their accusation against Singbeh and his co-defendants, probably have to wait until the Liberian Government can generate the needed resources to pursue the extradition of the three men.

This is the situation Judge Ousmane Feika is being confronted with, either a yes or no decision on Monday. The Czech Republic investors claimed that Singbeh influenced them to invest in the mining sector in the country, which led to the establishment of the Czech Republic-owned company, MHM Eko Liberia to engage in the production and sale of crushed rock.

Unfortunately, they transferred cash of over US$2.5 million through the Ecobank and Afriland First Bank, and several mining equipment worth over US$2 million through the Freeport of Monrovia for the establishment of the company.  Singbeh was the second highest shareholder, owning 30 percent, while the Miloschewsky brothers were the highest with 35 percent each, making their total share of 70 percent.

They are claiming that since they transferred the money and equipment to Singbeh, between 2013 up to and including 2017, the company is yet to be established and Singbeh has allegedly refused to account for the money and the equipment, which they are demanding accountability for. Regrettably, the Miloschewsky brothers will not be able to attend the proceedings due to the COVID 19 restrictions, but they have granted power of attorney to a British national, Hans Armstrong, to represent them while they are away.