Police investigators have established ‘criminal intent’ at the Ecobank on 11th Street in Sinkor when a man identified as Foday Emery Johnson attacked one of the employees using a short gun.
On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, the Head Office of Ecobank Liberia was a place of panic during the morning hours when suspect Johnson, who pretended to be a customer, entered the banking hall and launched an attack on one of the bank’s staff.
According to eyewitnesses, who had gone to the bank to transact business at the time, the suspected robber entered the bank’s premises with a backpack containing pepper spray and a weapon.
It was reported that the staff member was sprayed in the face, thus sustaining injury, as the Liberia National Police responded in time and arrested the suspect.
Contrary to what was said by eyewitnesses, the Liberia National Police (LNP) conducted an investigation relying on video footage and a voluntary statement from the suspect. The video footage showed a hostile scene of the victim, identified as Angeline L. Sillah and suspect Johnson in a tussle for nearly ten minutes in the private banking hall as suspect Johnson was seen closing the office door, pulling a single-barreled shotgun from his backpack, and placing the victim at gunpoint.
As he pointed the gun, the victim resisted and held the suspect’s hand but the suspect managed to release his hand and went to close the office door for the second time. Within that timeframe, the victim was seen putting her hand under the desk apparently pressing the alarm bell for rescue by colleagues. Suspect Johnson was also seen with a duct tape to seal her mouth.
A statement released by the LNP on Monday, August 11, 2025, suspect Johnson has been charged with Armed Robbery, Criminal Attempt to commit Murder and Possession and Sale of Physical Objects for Lethal Use.
Police Spokesperson Cecelia Clarke said these charges are in accordance with the Revised Penal Code of Liberia.
She disclosed that the police are aware of commentary surrounding suspect Johnson’s background, including his association with the University of Liberia, as well as being a Maloney Educated, Accomplished, and Once a Convicted Armed Robber.
“Let it be made clear that no individual is above the law,” adding that the LNP remains committed to impartial enforcement of the law guided by facts.
Clarke disclosed that the CCTV footage from Ecobank clearly shows Johnson entering the private banking room, pulling the weapon, and threatening the victim.
She said the suspect admitted to investigators that he purchased the firearm in Ganta, Nimba County for US$60.00 but claimed that it was for personal protection.
During investigation, the police recovered items including one black backpack, one single-barreled shotgun, three rounds of ammunition, one pepper spray, one duct tape, one nose mask, and one winter hat, which hid his identity as shown in the video footage.
Meanwhile, suspect Johnson has been forwarded to court for prosecution.
