Africa-Press – Liberia. Like thousands of Liberians who fled the country’s brutal civil wars, Jefferson Karr once dreamed of returning home to rebuild his life. Years in refugee camps across West Africa taught him resilience, and when peace returned, he came back determined to start afresh.
In 2022, Karr invested over US$90,000 to purchase two fuel tank trucks from Europe — a Foden and a Mercedes. To him, these trucks were not just vehicles, but symbols of survival, hope, and economic independence.
But that dream soon collided with the realities of Liberia’s fragile justice system.
A Business Deal Gone Sour
Strapped for cash to clear the trucks from Guinea, Karr turned to a business acquaintance, Gabriel Sumo, who agreed to finance the clearance and transport. What began as a loan arrangement, however, spiraled into betrayal.
Police reports allege Sumo forged documents, replaced Karr’s company details with his own, and secretly registered both trucks under Sumo Transport and Logistics. The vehicles were put to work while Karr was left with nothing.
“I worked hard, sacrificed everything to come back home and build something. But to be denied ownership of what I paid for, simply because someone with influence can manipulate the system, it breaks you,” Karr told FrontPage Africa.
US$210 Vanishes in Court Action
Seeking justice, Karr filed a complaint at the Monrovia City Court and was ordered to pay US$210 for an impoundment action. But despite payment, the trucks were never impounded and continued operating under Sumo.
Frustrated, Karr turned to the Liberia National Police (LNP), which after months of investigation confirmed his ownership through sales receipts, customs documents, and testimony from Guinean broker Moussa Keita. Investigators charged Sumo with theft of property and forgery.
Police Findings vs. Court Ruling
Not satisfied with the Monrovia City Court’s action, Karr immediately proceeded to the Liberia National Police (LNP) to begin a full legal process.
The Liberia National Police, after months of investigation, confirmed Karr’s ownership through sales receipts, customs documents, and testimony from Guinean broker Moussa Keita. Investigators charged Sumo with theft of property and forgery.
The police formally charged businessman Gabriel Sumo, CEO of Sumo Transport & Logistics Company, with theft of property and forgery in connection with the disputed ownership of the two tank trucks.
According to police charge sheet CSD/HQ/R-5/1199-2024, a copy which is in the possession of this paper, the case stems from a complaint filed by Jefferson Karr, CEO of V. Group Liberia Limited. Karr alleged that after purchasing a Foden Tank Truck and a Mercedes Tank Truck from Europe in 2022, he sought financial help from Sumo to clear the vehicles from Guinea.
Police investigations revealed that while the trucks were cleared and handed over to Karr, suspect Sumo allegedly forged ownership documents, falsified import notification forms, and secretly registered the vehicles in his company’s name without the consent of V. Group Liberia Limited.
Investigators confirmed that sales receipts, customs documents, and testimony from a Guinean broker established Karr’s ownership of the trucks. Sumo, however, declined to provide any rebuttal evidence and exercised his right to remain silent during questioning on the advice of his lawyer, Cllr. Eugene Lamie Massaquoi.
Following its findings, police concluded that Sumo’s actions violated Chapter 15, Sections 15.51 and 15.70 (Forgery) of the Revised Penal Code of Liberia.
Police Findings vs. Court Ruling
Yet, despite these findings, the case took a sharp turn in court with the Criminal Court ‘C’ technicalities and conflicting testimonies.
In its ruling, the Criminal Court ‘C’ dismissed the charges, suggesting that Karr had “waived ownership” of one of the trucks through earlier arrangements.
The ruling left Karr not only without his vehicles, but also with a deep sense of betrayal by the country’s legal system.
Nowhere to Turn: Karr’s family faces Uncertain Future
Speaking in an exclusive interview with FPA, Karr explained how his family now faces an uncertain future due to poor justice system, wherein only the highest bidders and influential few are given justice, while the rights of millions underprivileged Liberians are seized.
Due to the current unfortunate situation, he faces, the Liberian returnee in tears narrated that he cannot even afford to send his children to school, least to say, find their daily bread.
“My brother, our situation is so pathetic – I didn’t know that life would have landed me this way. I actually thought I was coming back to my country to rebuild my life by putting the broken pieces together. Things aren’t easy. But I know this is not the end, I will continue to fight to the end. Though I don’t have the financial power, but one thing I know is that our God is bigger than anything. I want to use this time to call the attention of human rights advocates, to join me as I go the extra mile to fight this battle,” he pleaded.
“It is not a small thing for man to not be working in this country. I am going through real hell in my own country that, I thought would have made the difference for me and my family – only for my rights to be stepped on simply because I don’t have money or I don’t know anyone up there. As I speak to you, we are in September and my children are not even in school,” Karr, accompanied by a long-time friend from the refugee camp, added in tears.
Dashed Vision
While in exile, Karr founded the Vision College of Management Studies at the Buduburam Refugee Camp in Ghana, training thousands of Liberians. On his return, he hoped to replicate the project in Liberia.
But with his resources seized, that dream is slipping away.
The Bigger Picture
Observers say Karr’s ordeal mirrors the struggles of countless Liberian returnees who, despite their resilience, face systemic barriers to rebuilding their lives. Many return with visions of reintegration only to encounter corruption, weak institutions, and a justice system critics say works for the powerful, not the vulnerable.
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