A Monrovia court has granted bail to four individuals accused of brutally assaulting a Liberian man in an incident that has sparked outrage. Associate Magistrate Andrew N. Bropleh of the Monrovia City Court approved a $5,000 criminal bond for Chinese national Michael Shio and Andrew Barmoh, Sunday Sumo, and Emmanuel Nyumah.
The defendants face charges of Aggravated Assault, Criminal Conspiracy, and Criminal Facilitation in connection with the alleged torture of Momo David.
Sky International Insurance Company provided the surety bond on behalf of the accused, securing their release pending trial. The charges stem from allegations that Davis was detained, severely beaten, and subjected to inhumane treatment at the behest of Shio. According to court documents, the accused are required to appear in court for hearings and, if convicted, must surrender to authorities to serve their sentence.
Davis’ mother, Watta Swary, provided a harrowing account of her son’s ordeal, alleging that he was held captive for three days inside Shio’s compound before being turned over to the police. She claimed that private security officers from Pilot Security Guard Service, a firm owned by former National Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) director Abraham Kromah, carried out the assault under Shio’s orders.
Swary further alleged that her son was beaten and then left defenseless against Shio’s dogs, suffering brutal injuries before his eventual release. Local residents confirmed hearing Davis’ screams over several days, prompting concerns that eventually led to his transfer to police custody.
During a community meeting on February 7, Shio’s legal representative, Halary Koffa, defended his client, arguing that Davis had been caught attempting to steal solar lights from Shio’s premises. However, Koffa, who is the brother of former House Speaker Fonati Koffa, failed to provide any evidence to support the claim, such as surveillance footage.
The case has stirred public anger, with many calling for a full investigation into the alleged torture. Human rights advocates have condemned the alleged abuse, warning that such acts must not go unpunished. The Liberian legal community is closely watching the proceedings, as critics argue that granting bail in such a serious case undermines the fight against impunity and human rights violations.
The Monrovia City Court is expected to set a date for the formal trial, which could determine whether the accused will face harsher legal consequences.
