The Monrovia City Court has issued a writ of arrest for Mustapha Yassine, Khadoun Ismail, and the Management of Auto Spare Garage following serious allegations of forgery, deceptive writing, and criminal conspiracy.
According to court documents signed by His Honor Judge L. Ben Barco, the defendants are accused of orchestrating a scheme to defraud Lebanese national Mohammed Hayek of his legitimate employment benefits amounting to $12,000 USD.
The case, filed by the Republic of Liberia through Private Prosecutor Hayek, alleges that on January 15, 2024, the defendants conspired to produce falsified documents and receipts bearing Hayek’s forged signature.
The fraudulent documents revealed that Hayek had received his leave benefits for the years 2017 through 2020—payments which Hayek asserts were never made.
In his formal complaint to the Liberia National Police (LNP), Hayek stated that his signature had been illegally cut and pasted onto the forged receipts, which were subsequently submitted to the Labor Court as evidence of payment. “I was never present to sign or receive any such money,” he said.
The police investigation revealed that Mustapha Yassine admitted to signing as a witness on the questionable receipts. Further forensic analysis concluded that the documents were photocopies containing identical signatures—raising red flags of forgery.
Authorities say Yassine and his alleged accomplice, Khadoun Ismail, both employees of Auto Spare Garage, acted knowingly and intentionally with the full awareness of the company’s management. Investigators also noted that the garage’s management refused to provide original signature specimens, despite repeated requests from the LNP forensic team.
“This act is a gross violation of trust and a criminal breach of Liberia’s Revised Penal Law, specifically Chapters 10 and 15,” reads the official charge sheet. “The accused willfully conspired to defraud an employee of his rightful earnings.”
Defendant Mustapha Yassine was arrested on April 9, 2025, on Mechlin Street, Monrovia while co-defendant Khadoun Ismail remains at large and is currently being sought by law enforcement.
The case has now been turned over to the Monrovia City Court for trial. If convicted, the defendants could face possible prison sentences and financial penalties. This incident has amplified public concern over unethical labor practices in Liberia, prompting calls from legal experts for employers to uphold transparency and adhere strictly to labor laws and fair employment practices.
