Published: August 11, 2025
MONROVIA — A University of Liberia instructor accused of storming a private banking room at Ecobank’s 11th Street, Sinkor branch, pointing a shotgun at an accountant, and attempting to tape her mouth shut during a robbery has been formally charged with armed robbery and attempted murder.
Police identified the suspect as Fobay Emery Johnson, who was arrested Aug. 6 after staff overpowered him during the mid-morning attack on victim Angeline L. Sillah, an Ecobank accountant. Investigators say Johnson entered Sillah’s office wearing a nose mask and a black Marvin Gaye hat, produced a single-barrel shotgun from a backpack, and demanded $13,999 in cash.
According to police, Johnson choked Sillah several times while trying to bind her with Scotch tape. She triggered the alarm, alerting colleagues who rushed in and subdued him before turning him over to the Liberia National Police.
At a press briefing Monday, police spokesperson Cecelia Clarke said Johnson faces three charges: armed robbery, criminal attempt to commit murder, and possession and sale of physical objects for lethal use under Liberia’s revised penal code. He was represented during questioning by his lawyer, Cllr. Jura A. Lynch.
CCTV footage reviewed by investigators allegedly shows Johnson closing Sillah’s office door before aiming the loaded shotgun at her. Police say they recovered the firearm, three rounds of ammunition, pepper spray, the tape, a nose mask, and the hat from Johnson’s possession.
In a statement to police, Johnson claimed he purchased the shotgun and ammunition for $60 in Ganta, Nimba County, in June for personal protection.
Johnson was forwarded to the Monrovia City Court for prosecution following the police charge.
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