Approximately three years ago, in 2021, Bigboy Flomo fell prey to his horrific demise as alleged ‘big hands’ fought to protect Indian Businessman Sethi’s monopoly in the scrap market in Bong County.
Verity News has uncovered that since 2021 up to present, the body of Big-Boy Flomo, a local scrapper, who was believed to have been gruesomely murdered has been at the Saint Kennedy Funeral home in Gbarnga, Bong County for three years without burial.
Dwellers of Kokoyah District in Bong County woke up early morning, stunningly surprise to see the lifeless body of their son, something that has kept local scrap vendors in fear and disbelief since then.
Our investigation established that the community and the immediate family of the deceased whose body has been at the funeral home for three years, continue to resist medical report which suggests that Big-Boy Flomo’’s death was as a result of being hit by heavy moving object possibly owned by ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML).
We have in our possession official complaints accusing top government officials from past and present administrations of shielding the case to allegedly protect Indian National Sethi Ferro Fabrik and other accomplices.
The complaints named Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh and other higher-ups who have been supposedly protecting the alleged murderers.
Family members and community dwellers continue to seek justice since the death of their loved one but to no avail.
In a move to keep the body for evidence purpose, the aggrieved family and community dwellers continue to insist that Big-Boy Flomo’’s body be kept while they continue to pursue justice.
How Was Big-Boy Flomo Killed?
Even though this paper is in possession of an autopsy report on Big-Boy Flomo’s lifeless body, indicating that the deceased died as a result of a severe hit from heavy-duty train belonging to Arcelor Mital Liberia (AML), but graphics of the late Big-Boy Flomo do not commensurate with the appearance of a person who was hit by moving train as chamed.
Our investigation also established that, ArcelorMittal on the other hand refused to take responsibility for the death of Big-Boy.
The company claimed that the deceased, Big Boy Flomo, was not hit by train and that the matter was neither brought to their attention nor reported. The company is arguing against the health report which is perceived fake and is only meant to allegedly shield the main perpetrators.
It is alleged that the killing of Big Boy Flomo came about when scrap dealers who work for Ansu Seesay, a close associate of Sethi, an Indian National who owns the steel producing factory, went on to getting scraps and was later brought back dead, as they claimed their colleague died from train hit.
Verity Newspaper is also in possession of police, autopsy report on the case, but citizens of Kokoyah District in Bong County still believe that there was foul play, leading to Big-Boy Flomo’s death and that the health and security officers have all joined the “cartel”of shielding the doer (Sethi) in whose interest the alleged perpetrators acted to protect his monopolistic commercial interest in the scrap market.
Why was Big Boy Flomo Set Up?
Our investigation established ongoing tussle for power, manipulation, and control over the scrap industry, a poignant issue in Bong County, something which is a potential reason for Flomo’s death.
According to our credible source, because deceased Flomo refused to join “Sethi scrap cartel” allegedly orchestrated by Indian Businessman Sethi, by selling scraps to Sethi Steel Producing Company only, he met his untimely death in 2021 and has not been buried as insisted by the family and community dwellers to preserve evidence.
During our investigation, there were pointed fingers at Ansu Seesay, a popular figure, who buys and sells scraps for Sethi, alleging that the death of Big Boy Flomo was orchestrated because the deceased refused to do business with the “Sethi Cartel” that is fighting for monopoly.
When contacted, Ansu Seesay who is into scrap dealings with Sethi denied the allegation, stating that he was accused falsely and the matter was taken to the police where he was given certificate of clearance on the matter.
According to him, the scrap industry is an open market, and any information connecting him to the late Big-Boy Flomo is false and misleading.
Deceased Flomo’s Family Fate for Justice:
Highly placed source within the Bong County Judicial System has revealed to this paper that all of the reports including health, police about this case were all a cover-up intended to shield the alleged perpetrators are influential business tycoons who have allegedly made local and national government officials’ part of their cartel to control the scrap market across Liberia.
Our source informed Verity News that the matter is now before the court, adding that the family’s fate in seeking justice may not be possible as these influential business persons and government officials have manipulated and covered up Flomo’s mysterious death.
Currently, the government is unable to demand ArcelorMittal to take responsibility, as well as the court has not been able to demand the burial of Big-Boy Flomo whose body has been at the funeral home since 2021 up to present.
Monopoly in Liberia’s Scrap Industry:
Veirty News with receipt of complaints to the Ministry of Justice during past and current governments, has observed the proliferation of power struggle and attempts to have absolute control in the Scrap industry is permeating in Liberia.
In the complaint, it is stated that the “cartel”that has been created is a leading monopoly intended for Indian businessman Sethi Ferro Fabrik to take full control of the scrap industry.
One of the complaints in our possession states: “Sethi runs the Liberia Scrap Cartel whose members are threatening and terrorizing scrappers who are not members of his cartel. Sethi brags that the Liberian Government is in his pocket. He illegally controls the Liberian economy and practically all of its functionaries etc.”
Communications written to former and present Ministers of Justice Cllr. Musa Dean and Cllr. Oswald Tweh, indicate that Sethi is “The most corrupt and dangerous Businessman in the country and worse of all he controls the entire Ministry of Justice, the government institution that is in charge of our National Security of our country. He is protected by the Security Apparatus of our country.”
The complaint further alleged that Sethi controls the entire three Branches of “our National Government officials, recruiting influential people in government, as members of his cartel in charge of the over one Billion United States Dollars scrap industry”.
Meanwhile, the Steel Producing Company owned by Sethi Ferro Fabrik has denied such claims. According to the Management of the company, thousands of srappers registered under the Liberia Scrappers Association work freely without intimidation and fear.
The Steel Plant Manager, Talon, told this paper that the company is not in the business of monopolizing the industry, but to help see a fair play and competitive market.
