-$10M LAWSUIT AGAINST GOV’T IMMINENT
The Liberian Government is likely running into trouble with British investor, Hans Armstrong, who is threatening to file a 10 million dollar lawsuit against it for the alleged sale of his heavy equipment he says worth $2.5 million dollars.
Mr. Armstrong has alleged that some Bomi County officials and a sitting lawmaker sole the equipment for just $66,500, approximately 2.7% of its estimated value.
The reported earth-moving machinery was in Senjie Township, Bomi County.
Armstrong quoted by a statement said the Bomi officials and the sitting lawmaker sold the equipment despite ‘multiple court rulings’ affirming his ownership.
Justice Ministry Confirms Court Recognition:
Justice Minister and Attorney General, Cllr. Oswald Tweh, has confirmed that Liberian courts have acknowledged the British investor’s ownership interest in proceedings connected to the matter.
“Liberian courts have recognized Armstrong’s ownership interest in the equipment and have ruled in his favor in proceedings connected to this matter,” Tweh said.
Lawmaker Acknowledges Committee’s Role, Records Not Public:
The Bomi County Civil Society Organizations Coalition, BCCSOC, has alleged that Rep. Obediah Varney of Bomi County District-1 admitted in a telephone interview that a “joint committee” arranged the sale. According to BCCSOC, Varney said the committee included staff from the County Superintendent’s Office, his own legislative office, and “other stakeholders.”
BCCSOC says Varney did not provide the committee’s full roster, mandate, meeting dates, or minutes. As of press time, none of those records have been made public.
The buyers were identified by Varney as Fatu Kanneh and Abraham Barrey. Key details remain unconfirmed: the intended use of the equipment, terms of sale, and whether any competitive public bidding took place. BCCSOC told reporters it has not independently verified purchase agreements and is still seeking comment from Kanneh and Barrey.
Court Distanced Itself From Transaction:
Court documents indicate the sale proceeded despite judicial pushback.
Judge Ciapha Carey of the 11th Judicial Circuit Court in Bomi County acknowledged that County Superintendent Miatta Dorley wrote the court on September 17, 2025, requesting facilitation of a bidding process. That process was reportedly won by scrap dealer Fatu Kanneh with a $66,500 bid.
When Superintendent Dorley later asked the court to order the $66,500 payment be made directly to the court, Judge Carey refused. In a written response, the judge stated: “The court declined to be a part of the sale of the scrap between the county authority and local residents of Sackie Township.” He added: “The Superintendent of a county is the vast jury of that county. Therefore it is the purview of the County Superintendent to handle all county related matters involving its citizens.”
$10 Million Claim Prepared:
Armstrong’s legal team says it is preparing a $10 million claim against the Liberian government. The claim will seek compensation for “injury to person, deprivation of income and livelihood,” plus punitive and general damages.
The Ministry of Justice has not commented on whether the government will intervene to halt or reverse the sale. Rep. Varney and Superintendent Dorley did not respond to requests for comment by press time.
Civil Society Calls for Audit
BCCSOC is calling for a full public audit of the transaction. The group warned that the sale, if conducted outside legal process, could undermine investor confidence and set a dangerous precedent for asset disputes in Liberia.
