Monrovia, Liberia–The conviction of former Program Manager of Planned Parenthood Association of Liberia Ernree Neeplo is now under intense scrutiny following the emergence of new evidence that challenges key elements of the case.
At the heart of the controversy is a 2013 transaction involving IT FastTrack, a company prosecutors claimed was never legally registered.
However, official documents revealed that the business was indeed registered with the Liberia Business Registry on March 12, 2013, under the name Sam Tucker.
Legal analysts argue this discrepancy could have significantly impacted the outcome of the case.
Neeplo was convicted of misappropriating more than $38,000 intended for the renovation of youth centers across the country.
She has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that crucial evidence was either overlooked or never made available during her trial.
Her lawyers had claimed that they formally requested specific documents, but these were never provided by the court during the trial.
In the indictment, the prosecution pointed to a $2,500 payment to a catering company owned by Neeplo’s mother.
However, records indicate that Neeplo had disclosed the family connection and recused herself from the selection process, steps meant to prevent conflicts of interest.
Another issue in the case involved the alleged misuse of funds to purchase an SUV.
But testimony from the former Executive Director of the PPAL (Positive Pathways for African Leadership) stated that she personally paid for the vehicle using her own resources and surplus administrative funds.
Auditors also cited missing laptops from 2013 in a 2020 financial report, a claim that formed part of the prosecution’s argument.
Her lawyers, however, question the relevance of this finding, noting that such devices typically have a limited lifespan of five years or less.
With confirmation from PPAL officials that 12 of the 15 youth centers were in fact renovated, concerns are growing over whether the court fully considered the available evidence.
The Liberia Business Registry’s alleged false testimony is now viewed as a potentially pivotal factor in the verdict.
As the case heads to the Supreme Court, it has sparked widespread debate about fairness and accountability in Liberia’s justice system.
