MONROVIA – Four individuals have been charged in connection with the alleged theft of $30,000 from a local education nonprofit and were forwarded Thursday, May 1, to the Monrovia City Court for prosecution.
The suspects—Victor Williams, Sailverlyn D. Saway, Musa Konneh, and Chester Barker—face multiple felony charges, including theft of property, criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of entrusted property, facilitation, and criminal solicitation, in violation of the Penal Law of Liberia.
The money was reportedly stolen from a project account belonging to the Liberia Institute for the Promotion of Academic Excellence (LIPACE), a local nongovernmental organization.
According to court records, the case centers on the unauthorized encashment of a $30,000 check in January 2025. The check was allegedly forged and cashed at the United Bank for Africa branch on Broad Street with the alleged assistance of both insiders and outside accomplices.
Police say the scheme involved a coordinated fraud operation that included a bank employee, whose alleged actions helped facilitate the theft.
During the preliminary hearing, the court informed the defendants of their rights and confirmed that the offenses are bailable under Liberian law. Saway, LIPACE’s former finance associate, and Barker secured valid bonds and were released pending trial. Williams and Konneh, however, were remanded at the Monrovia Central Prison after failing to post bond.
Investigators say Williams, who is engaged to Saway, admitted to removing the check from the couple’s shared residence. He allegedly collaborated with intermediaries, including Barker and Konneh—both still at large—and used another suspect, Seth Carter, to cash the check.
Police further allege that Saway’s negligence as custodian of LIPACE’s checkbooks enabled the fraud. Her attorney has filed a motion for severance, asking the court to try her case independently. Prosecutors objected, arguing that all defendants acted in concert and that Saway’s personal relationship with Williams makes her central to the conspiracy. Magistrate Barco has reserved a ruling on the motion.
Meanwhile, arrest warrants have been issued for Carter and Emmanuel Knagay, a senior UBA staffer accused of facilitating the illegal withdrawal from inside the bank. Both remain at large.
LIPACE has terminated Saway’s employment and pledged full cooperation with authorities. In a statement, the organization reaffirmed its commitment to financial transparency and said it remains focused on its educational mission.
The case has sparked public interest, raising broader concerns about financial accountability within Liberia’s civil society sector and compliance weaknesses in the banking industry.
A formal trial is expected once indictments are issued by state prosecutors.
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