Monrovia – The Bensonville Magisterial Court has issued a writ of arrest for Rev. Massa D. Tarnue Jr., Senior Pastor of the Free Pentecostal Global Mission Incorporated at Fendell Beach, along with his sureties, on charges of contempt of court and bail jumping.
The order, signed by His Honour Quincy A.Q. Garnett, directs law enforcement to immediately arrest Rev. Tarnue and his sureties—Rev. Abraham T. Sackie, Totaye Abraham Browne, and Dr. Elimelech J. Powoe. The court accuses them of failing to ensure Tarnue’s appearance for scheduled hearings and allegedly advising him to evade legal proceedings.
Rev. Tarnue was initially charged with theft and misappropriation of entrusted property, amounting to $8,073 United States dollars. According to a report filed by the Liberia National Police on February 7, 2025, the pastor unlawfully obtained the funds from Bobby Yango, a Liberian based in the United States, who had paid the amount for two acres and one lot of land. The alleged misappropriation occurred between June and September 2023.
Court records reveal that Tarnue was granted bail after his lawyer filed a criminal appearance bond. However, he and his legal team failed to appear for a scheduled hearing on February 14, 2025, prompting the court to issue the arrest warrant.
Sources indicate that Tarnue, through his legal counsel, admitted to the offense and promised to begin repaying the money on February 24, 2025. His legal team reportedly attributed the delay to the church’s National Conference, held from February 18 to 23, which they claimed was necessary to raise the funds.
A notice of assignment has been issued, requiring Rev. Tarnue to appear before the Bensonville Magisterial Court in Bentol City on February 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
The case was brought to the court after Yango, who is also a member of the church, sought intervention from the assistant pastor, elders, and the general overseer of the Free Pentecostal Global Mission, but these internal efforts failed to resolve the matter.
