Monrovia-September 15, 2021′ The Liberia National Police (LNP) says, it has investigated and subsequently charged suspects, Alex Tou, Azaam Daii, Zhony Oixiang and George D. McCay, (all adults) with Negligent Homicide, Recklessly Endangering Another Person and Wesley C. G. Monroe with Criminal Conspiracy and Criminal Facilitation.

It can be recalled on July 17, 2021, a distressed Chinese vessel, MV Niko-Ivanka owned by a Chinese national, Alex Tou unauthorizingly departed the Freeport of Monrovia by 6:00AM for the Port of Harper, Maryland County with occupants, estimating Twenty Eight (28) on board the vessel. They included Eight (8) Crew members, Nine (9) staffs of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), One Police Officer and other passengers with several properties that subsequently sunk at 1:55PM.

According to the Liberia Maritime Authority (LMA), said vessel was issued Detention Notice, dated April 28, 2021.

After a special investigative probe conducted by a team of Detectives, it was established that, the management of MV Niko-Ivanka deceived WAEC Administration and allowed them to pay Nine Hundred United States Dollars (USD900.00) to transport Nine (9) staffs on a cargo vessel which was loaded with Rice 125tons, Fuel 97 tons, mixed goods containing WAEC materials, Oxygen tanks for Ruby Light weight 10 tons, WAEC staff, Crew members and other passengers.

It was also recorded that suspect George McCay is the Pier Superintendent at the National Port Authority (NPA) responsible for the regulation of the PMC Pier, and also is the Agent of the MV Niko-Ivanka vessel who criminally influenced the unauthorized sailing of the vessel with a conflict of interest to his Two (2) positions.

Suspect McCay later downplayed the issued LMA’s detention order thereby allowing the vessel to surreptitiously sail without official release order from the Liberia ship registry.

Investigator further uncovered that suspect, Wesley Monroea (Chift Commander Liberia Seaport Police) granted access to the WAEC staffs without the knowledge of his bosses, having prior knowledge that it is a cargo vessel.

In view of the foregoing facts and circumstances coupled with physical evidence (detention order), the LNP has resolved to send to Court for prosecution the herein mentioned suspects in violation of chapter 14.3, 14.23, 10.2 and 10.4 of the reversed penal code of the Republic of Liberia.