MONROVIA – In a landmark ruling on May 5, 2025, Criminal Court ‘C’ Judge A. Blamo Dixon found nine suspended employees of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) guilty of theft of property and criminal conspiracy in connection to a massive petroleum heist.
The convicted individuals, Andrew P. Nimely, Kingston S. Sneh, Emmanuel G. Garway, Robert S. Alfred, Alphanso Sackie, Beyan A. Cooper, John Kolubah, Peter Z. Tayn, and William V. Gray, all served in the Security Department of LPRC.
According to court records, between September 1, 2023, and January 2024, the defendants colluded to siphon off petroleum products — including gas oil, gasoline, and jet A-1 fuel, amounting to 193, 659 gallons from the jetty pipeline. The stolen fuel supply critically impacted the Product Storage Terminal (PST) of LPRC, Srimex-China Union, and Connex.
Judge Dixon has ordered the convicts to collectively repay $941,895.11 USD and additionally pay a US$300 fine each into the Government of Liberia’s revenue. Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice has been directed to conduct a pre-sentencing investigation to determine whether the defendants are first-time offenders or habitual criminals.
It can be recalled that in February 2024, the management of LPRC transferred nine of its employees from the Security Section to the Ministry of Justice for further investigation and subsequent prosecution. This decision followed internal investigations that found the employees culpable of perforating and damaging the company’s piping infrastructure, resulting in the theft of several hundred gallons of mixed petroleum products. The individuals involved were suspended pending the Ministry of Justice’s investigation.
LPRC management emphasized that corporate assets are state properties meant for all Liberians. Employees and leaders of the company with access to these properties are trusted curators who must not abuse their power for personal gains. The management reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on theft, aiming to reduce product losses and ensure accountability.
