GT-Bank boss charged over staff assault



A Nigerian national heading a branch of privately run Guaranty Trust Bank (GT – Bank) defendant Ajodeji Bejide has been charged with aggravated assault by police for allegedly assaulting and wounding his Liberian staff Edward Freeman.

On Wednesday, police authorities said the defendant who has been working as manager for GT – Bank on 13th Street, Sinkor will be forwarded to court Thursday morning, 30 August to face prosecution.

He is accused of carrying out the attack against victim Freeman during a staff meeting at the bank on 13th Street, Sinkor, allegedly hitting the victim with a calculator on his face and wounding his lip.

Police Spokesman Moses Carter says as a result of the attack on victim Freeman with a calculator, he sustained injuries on his lip.

Police say the accused allegedly admitted to the commission of the crime.

Journalists were not permitted to interview or photograph the accused, as it is sometimes done with other defendants who are held in police custody for alleged crimes committed.

The defendant Bejide was not availed to the media during press conference at the Liberia National Police Headquarters for public view.

Under the guidance of Police Inspector General Col. Patrick Sudue, journalists were allowed after the press conference to see defendant Bejide but with strict mandate not to interview or photograph him.

Though he had already been charged, defendant Bejide was being held in the office of the Deputy Chief of Crimes Services Division (CSD) office at the police headquarters when journalists were permitted to see him.

Meanwhile, Central Bank of Liberia has summoned the Board of Directors of GT Bank and issued them the following directives, and directed that Mr. Bejide be suspended without pay with immediate effect and for time indefinite, pending a thorough investigation of the above mentioned allegations by the Board.

The statement which was issued by the directive of CBL’s Executive Governor Nathaniel Patray added, while Mr. Bejide is under suspension, the Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Amazu Nwachukwu, be appointed as Acting MD until the conclusion of the aforesaid investigation and that findings be submitted to the CBL within 48 hours, of the Board’s intended course of action to address the issue.

By Winston W. Parley