MONROVIA – The Liberian National Police (LNP) has formally charged and sent to court a University of Liberia’s lecturer, Mr. Fobay Emery Johnson, following his alleged involvement in attempts to arm rob the Ecobank’s 11th Street branch in Sinkor, Monrovia, on August 6th, 2025.
Below is the Police full statement as read by Police Spokeswoman Cecelia Clarke:
Good morning, members of the press, civil society organizations, and the Liberian public. We welcome you to this live press briefing from the Liberia National Police Headquarters. Today, we present the findings of a critical investigation into a violent incident that occurred on Wednesday, August 6th, 2025, at the Ecobank Liberia Limited 11th Street Sinker Branch.
The suspect, Fobay Emery Johnson, age 44, of Duport Road, Paynesville, was apprehended at the scene and has since been thoroughly investigated by the Anti-Robbery Unit of the Crimes Services Division. At approximately 9.45 a.m., suspect Johnson entered the private banking room of Ecobank, disguised with a nose mask and a cold weather hood. He closed the office door behind him, pulled a single-barreled shotgun from his black backpack, and placed victim Angeline Sillah, age 33, on the gunpoint.
He demanded the money stored in the office and tussled with the victim for about 10 minutes and attempted to seal her mouth with duct tape he brought along with him. The victim resisted, pressed the alarm button, and was rescued by her colleagues who restrained the suspect until the arrival of the Liberia National Police. CCTV footage from Ecobank clearly shows Mr. Johnson entering the private banking room, retrieving the weapon, and threatening the victim.
During questioning, the suspect admitted to purchasing the firearm in Ganta, Nima County for US$60, claiming it was for personal protection. Recovered items include one black backpack, one single-barreled shotgun, three rounds of ammunition, one pepper spray, one duct tape, and one nose mask. These items are already being displayed during this press conference.
As we confront violent crime in Liberia, we are reminded of global examples like J.J. Maloney, a respected American journalist and author who won multiple prestigious awards, including the American Bar Association Silver Giver and the Sigma Delta Chi Award, and he was nominated for five Pulitzer Prizes. But before that, Maloney spent over six years in reform schools and prison for murder and armed robbery. His transformation came only after incarceration, where he educated himself and built his life.
This case is a powerful reminder that education, employment, and social standing do not exempt someone from criminal behavior. Public perception can be misleading, and assumptions based on status must never override the facts uncovered through investigation. The Liberian National Police investigates based on evidence, not assumptions, and justice applies equally to all, regardless of background.
We are aware of common traits surrounding Mr. Johnson’s background, including his association with the University of Liberia. Let it be made clear, no individual is above the law. The Liberian National Police remains committed to impartial enforcement, guided solely by facts and the rule of law.
Following the investigation, the Liberian National Police has formally charged Fobay Emery Johnson with the following criminal offenses. Armed robbery, Chapter 15, Subchapter C, Section 15.32. Criminal attempt to commit murder, Chapter 10, Section 10.1. Possession and sale of physical objects for legal use, Chapter 17, Section 17.11. These charges are in accordance with the revised Penal Code of the Republic of Liberia. Mr. Johnson will be forwarded to court immediately following this press briefing.
Let me conclude by saying the Liberian National Police remains committed to protecting the lives and property of all citizens. We thank the management of Ecobank, the victim for her courage, and the public for their continued support. Thank you for coming.
Forwarded to Court
Meanwhile, the Liberia National Police has forwarded to the court, Defendant Johnson for the alleged crime of Armed Robbery and Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder.
Defendant Johnson was escorted by officers of the Liberian National Police to the Monrovia City Court at the Temple of Justice. He was arrested on August 6, 2025, acquainted with his constitutional rights, thoroughly investigated, and subsequently charged with criminal offenses.
The court documents indicated that the defendant entered the Private Banking room, Ecobank Liberia Limited, 11th Street, Sinkor Branch, and placed the victim, Angeline L. Sillah, under gunpoint in demand of the money she had in her office. The documents said he choked the victim in her office chair while trying to scotch tape her mouth.
During an investigative interview conducted with defendant Johnson, he stated that in June 2025, while in Ganta, Nimba County, with friends, he purchased a single-barreled shotgun along with three rounds of ammunition for sixty United States dollars ($60.USD), claiming that it was for protection.
The LNP recovered one black backpack, one single-barreled shotgun, three single-barreled rounds, one black Pepper Spray, one Scotch Tape, one Nose Mask, and one Marvin Gaye hat from suspect Fobay Emery Johnson. The investigation has resolved to charge defendant Johnson with criminal offenses.
The investigation also reviewed CCTV Footage from the Ecobank, Liberia Limited, 11th Street, Sinkor Branch, which showed Johnson entering the Private Banking room wearing a Nose Mask and a black Marvin Gaye Hat. Upon entry, he closed the office door, retrieved the single-barreled shotgun from his black backpack, loaded it, and pointed it directly at the victim, Angeline L. Sillah, demanding money.
The court documents furhter stated that Defendant Johnson forcibly restrained the victim, by choking her several times in her office chair, and attempting to seal her mouth with scotch tape. This violent act against him could have caused her death.
On Thursday, August 7, 2025, the Victim, Angeline L. Sillah, disclosed the Account at the Ecobank, Liberia Limited, surfaced at the office of the Anti-Robbery Unit/CSD and reported a case of Armed Robbery in which she explained that on Wednesday, August 6. 2025 at 9:45 while she was in her office at the Ecobank, an unknown man entered her office wearing a nose mask and a Marvin Gaye hat, placed her under gun point and demanded her to turn over the money that she had in her office and while he was trying to tape her mouth and tie her, she tussled with him at which time she pressed the alarm bottom and her colleagues went to her rescue and arrested Defendant Johnson, and turned him over to the police.
