Monrovia – The case against Chinese investor Michael Shio has taken a dramatic turn following the release of an official medical report from ELWA Hospital, which contradicts claims that he poured hot oil on alleged victim Momoh David. The report raises concerns about a possible orchestrated smear campaign involving Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) Director General Eugene Fahngon and Chinese businessman Gao Feng, also known as Barry or “The Real Minister.”
Emerging reports suggest that Fahngon was allegedly paid $500,000 by Gao Feng to manufacture allegations against Shio, using state-owned media to sway public sentiment. Sources indicate that $300,000 of this sum was allegedly used to influence members of the House of Representatives, pushing for Shio’s deportation while bypassing due process, even though the matter was still pending at Criminal Court ‘A’.
The allegations against Shio come amid a long-standing business rivalry between him and Gao Feng. In 2024, Gao Feng was accused of illicit mining in Gbarpolu County, encroaching on an exploration license held by NEO Global Minerals and Mines Inc., a company linked to Shio. As a result, Liberia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy fined Gao Feng over $18 million on July 10, 2025. A $300,000 settlement was later approved by the Civil Law Court of Montserrado County on December 11, 2024.
In a July 25, 2024, Facebook post, Fahngon publicly hinted at a campaign against Shio, writing: “The real story of illicit mining will be told on Sunday with real facts. Get your data ready for facts vs fiction.” This statement adds further weight to the longstanding conflict between Fahngon and Shio.
The newly released medical report from ELWA Hospital fundamentally undermines the allegations against Shio and completely contradicts statements made by Fahngon and David. The findings expose glaring inconsistencies in the accusations, pointing to a potential conspiracy orchestrated to manipulate the legal system and public opinion. As the legal process unfolds, the need to ensure that justice is based on facts rather than manufactured narratives has become increasingly evident.
On February 19, 2025, the Monrovia City Court received the official medical report from ELWA Hospital after issuing a writ of subpoena duces tecum. The report, signed by Dr. Juvenal Musavuli Maghuta, Consultant Surgeon, contradicts earlier allegations that David was tortured with hot oil by Shio on January 13, 2025. It reveals that David was admitted to ELWA Hospital on January 17, 2025, at 11:41 PM—four days after the alleged attack. Medical assessments determined that his injuries were caused by fire, not hot oil. Additionally, the burns occurred approximately 24 hours before David’s hospital admission, meaning he was injured around January 16, rather than January 13, when the alleged attack by Shio was said to have occurred.
These findings directly contradict the narrative promoted by Fahngon and LBS, raising concerns about misinformation and potential manipulation of the legal system. A police statement given by Joyce Teta Teage, a family member of David, further complicates the allegations. Teage told investigators that David sustained burn injuries on January 17, 2025—not January 13, as initially alleged. This testimony challenges the claim that the injuries were inflicted at Michael Shio’s residence. Furthermore, the ELWA Hospital report makes no mention of a dog bite, despite David’s earlier allegations.
Momoh David had initially alleged that a man named Macus tied his hands and feet, used pepper spray on him until he became unconscious, then took him to the bathroom and poured hot oil on his body, causing severe burns. He also claimed that Macus called his dog to attack him, leading to bite wounds on both feet. However, his statements raise serious doubts. Questions emerge as to how he could accurately describe events that allegedly took place after he lost consciousness. There is also skepticism over how Shio could have moved him to the bathroom while he was bound at the hands and feet.
Despite these inconsistencies, Eugene Fahngon and state-owned LBS aggressively pushed the narrative that Shio tortured David. In a February 12, 2025, Facebook Live broadcast, Fahngon was seen leading David into making misleading statements. He repeatedly suggested that David had been hospitalized since January 13, despite ELWA Hospital records proving otherwise. Fahngon also falsely claimed that David had been detained at Shio’s compound for three days. These contradictory statements raise serious concerns about a deliberate effort to manipulate public perception.
David’s history of criminal activities further raises doubts about the credibility of his claims. On January 10, 2025, he was caught stealing wires from a Lone Star Tower and was beaten by a mob. The incident was recorded at Zone 3 Police Station. The next day, January 11, he was again assaulted after being caught stealing near Sando Cooper’s residence in Congo Town. On January 12, he suffered another mob beating after attempting to steal, leading to his being brought to Zone 3 Police Station, though he later escaped while en route to medical treatment. On January 13, he was apprehended again for stealing a solar panel at Michael Shio’s construction site opposite RC Lawson School.
These repeated incidents suggest that David was involved in ongoing criminal activities and frequently suffered mob justice attacks. Given this history, it is highly plausible that his burns resulted from a separate fire-related incident rather than an attack by Shio.
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