The Inquirer (Monrovia)
15 May 2008
The family of a local trader who was allegedly murdered in Foyiah, Lofa County by a police officer who is assigned to Vice President Joseph Boakai, is appealing for justice over the murder of their son, Price Lusenie.
A spokesman of the family, Mark Thomas who is a cousin to the deceased, told this paper that the family is very concerned over the issue and want speedy justice to prevail.
Speaking to this paper, Mr. Thomas said the alleged perpetrator of the act, boastfully told the family that because he is a body guard to the Vice President he will get off the matter with impunity.
He said since the incident, attempts made by the family to bury the deceased have been to no avail because on one occasion, the family was told by the County Superintendent, Mr. Galakpa Kortima, that an autopsy would be performed on the body.
He said the autopsy was never performed but that he was buried by the government after the body had decayed for days and following a decision by the family to reject the body after the authority made an attempt to turn it over to the family.
He alleged that Vice President Boakai is aware of the situation as it relates to how his bodyguard, James Lavela, allegedly murdered the deceased. He said on one occasion, the Vice President offered the family of the deceased LD$2,000 and a bag of rice.
He called on the Vice President to make sure that justice is delivered in the case because as he put it; the soul of the deceased would not rest in perfect peace.
The late Lusenie was reportedly murdered in Foyiah, Lofa County by police officer James Lavela, who according to reports is assigned to Vice President Boakia.
The incident occurred while the Vice President was visiting Foyiah, to meet with citizens of that district on behalf of the Liberian government.
The late Prince S. Lusenie was allegedly murdered when an argument ensued between him and a Fula trader over money that he reportedly owed the trader. It was at that point that officer Lavela was contacted to effect the arrest at which time, it was reported that he allegedly mal-handled the accused.
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