Five current and former officials of Gbarpolu County have been formally indicted in connection with a US$425,000 procurement scandal involving three pieces of heavy-duty equipment, commonly referred to as “Yellow Machines.”
Those indicted include former Superintendent J. Keyah Saah, current Superintendent Sam K. Zinnah, former Project Management Committee (PMC) Chair Robert Benda, former Fiscal Affairs Superintendent Anthony Yorkor, and Omoru Sheriff, CEO of City Lion.
The indictment was handed down by the Grand Jury at the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court in Bopolu City on August 14, 2025.
Charges levied against the individuals include Economic Sabotage, Illegal Compensation for Government Matters, Theft of Property, Criminal Facilitation, Criminal Conspiracy, Violations of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) and Public Financial Management (PFM) laws, Criminal Solicitation, and Tax Evasion, all in violation of Liberia’s New Penal Law (Title 26).
Background:
On July 1, 2025, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) announced a travel ban on the accused, preventing them from leaving the country while investigations continue.
The equipment in question, a bulldozer, excavator, and motor grader, was approved during the 2023 Gbarpolu County Council Sitting, held in Bopolu City.
These machines were intended to support infrastructure development and roadwork throughout the county.
However, the equipment, once delivered to Bopolu City, has been widely criticized as being outdated and has reportedly remained non-operational for nearly a year.
This has sparked public outrage, especially considering that close to a million U.S. dollars from the Gbarpolu County and Social Development Funds were allocated for their purchase and related infrastructure initiatives.
This report is based on information gathered and verified by Voice of Gbarpolu Radio.
