Liberia’s businessman Gabriel B. Sumo, CEO of Sumo Transportation & Logistics Company (STLC) is facing criminal charges of theft of property and forgery in connection to two fuel tanker trucks at the center of a contentious legal battle with V-Group Liberia Limited, led by CEO Jefferson Karr.
Presiding over the trial, Judge Joe Barkon of Criminal Court ‘C’ is expected to render a decision in the coming weeks.
The Liberian government, acting through the Ministry of Justice, has aggressively pursued the case, signaling the seriousness with which it views commercial fraud allegations, particularly in cross-border trade and investment dealings.
The Trucks at the Center of the Controversy
The dispute revolves around two commercial tanker trucks, a Mercedes-Benz (Chassis No. WDB67603215538316) and a Foden 8×6 Tanker Truck (Chassis No. SFNIMMLCOR0600079).
Prosecutors assert that despite clear documentation showing V-Group Liberia as the legal owner, Sumo has unlawfully claimed ownership of the vehicles following a financing arrangement gone sour.
Karr claims the trucks were funded by him and imported with help from intermediaries in Guinea and the United Kingdom, but under a loan agreement, Sumo was allowed to operate the trucks for 18 months in exchange for his investment in clearing and transporting them.
The deal, according to notarized agreements and multiple receipts, clearly stated ownership remained with V-Group until full repayment.
Evidence Mounts Against Sumo
Testimonies presented in court provide a detailed timeline of events:
Sylvester B. Doe, a witness for the prosecution and former employee of Sumo, testified that he was sent to Guinea to execute the loan agreement on Sumo’s behalf.
Doe confirmed the trucks were never meant to be owned by Sumo but used to repay his investment.
Receipts from V-Group, dating between April and June 2023, show payments made by Sumo for customs clearance, fuel, and transportation, totaling tens of thousands of dollars, payments corroborated by both Sumo and Karr.
A confirmation letter from Moussa Keita, a Guinean intermediary who facilitated the trucks’ clearance from Conakry Port, explicitly affirms that the trucks belonged to Jefferson Karr.
He also confirmed that the $43,000 provided by Sumo was a loan, not a purchase.
Notarized documentation from Notary Me N’Dêye Mamy Faye in Conakry further supports the prosecution’s claim that a formal loan and repayment agreement exists, solidifying V-Group’s ownership status.
The Ministry of Justice presented chat records, official invoices, and shipping manifests, including UK-issued Proforma Invoices and Ministry of Defence (MoD) surplus asset certificates, tracing the trucks’ origin from 4×4 Global Exports LTD in the UK to V-Group Liberia.
Legal Violations Cited
The case hinges on violations under Liberia’s Penal Law:
Section 50.51, Theft of Property: Prosecutors argue that Sumo unlawfully maintained control over the trucks with intent to permanently deprive Karr of ownership.
Section 15.70–Forgery: Allegations suggest that Sumo presented a manipulated version of the original loan agreement to falsely support his ownership claim.
“The prosecution has presented clear, corroborated, and admissible evidence,” the State noted in its closing argument, insisting that a conviction is necessary to send a signal that Liberia is not a safe haven for commercial fraud.
The Defense Strategy
Though Sumo has not yet fully presented his defense, early court filings and preliminary statements suggest he will argue the trucks were abandoned by Karr or forfeited under unclear financial obligations, and that he acted in good faith to protect his investment.
His silence when questioned by police, invoking his constitutional right, has raised eyebrows among legal analysts but is being interpreted as a calculated legal strategy.
Broader Implications
This case has become a lightning rod for conversations about business ethics, documentation practices, and investor confidence in Liberia.
With the trucking and logistics sector playing a vital role in trade across West Africa, observers warn that lax enforcement or ambiguity in such deals can erode investor trust.
Judge Barkon is expected to issue a verdict within weeks. If convicted, Gabriel Sumo faces lengthy prison time, substantial fines, and mandatory restitution to V-Group Liberia.
The business community, both local and international, is watching closely-and the outcome may well shape Liberia’s reputation as a destination for transparent and accountable commerce.
