Nimba Ex-Senatorial Candidate Armstrong Gobac Selekpoh Arrested Over Loan Dispute

• Armstrong Gobac Selekpoh, a former Nimba senatorial candidate, has been arrested and jailed in Sanniquellie City.
• He faces allegations of failing to repay a loan of nearly US$14,000 to Pharaze Dekpah, CEO of DETA-Loan Incorporated.
• Dekpah claims the funds were provided during the 2022–2023 Campaign Period and used for Selekpoh's campaign activities.
• Police confirmed the arrest, and the case is now before the court for prosecution.
• Selekpoh has not yet made any public statement regarding the allegations.

The jailing of a former senatorial candidate over a loan dispute underscores the potential for criminal proceedings in what might otherwise be considered civil matters, especially when substantial sums and public figures are involved in Liberia.

Armstrong Gobac Selekpoh, a prominent figure who contested for a senatorial seat in Nimba County during the 2022–2023 elections, has been taken into custody by authorities in Sanniquellie City. Selekpoh, who also serves as the Executive Director of the Armstrong Gobac Selekpoh Foundation, is currently being held at the Sanniquellie Central Prison. His arrest stems from an accusation by a creditor regarding the non-payment of a loan amounting to nearly US$14,000. This development marks a significant turn in a financial disagreement involving a former political aspirant in Liberia.

The complaint against the former Nimba ex-senatorial candidate was lodged by Pharaze Dekpah, the Chief Executive Officer of DETA-Loan Incorporated. Dekpah informed law enforcement officials that he had provided the financial assistance to Selekpoh specifically during the 2022–2023 Campaign Period. According to Dekpah, these funds were subsequently utilized for various campaign activities, directly linking the loan to political endeavors.

This incident brings to light the complexities of financial dealings within the political landscape, particularly concerning campaign finance. The alleged failure to repay the sum has escalated into a criminal matter, leading to Selekpoh's detention pending court proceedings. As of now, the former candidate has not issued any public statement in response to the allegations, leaving his perspective on the dispute undisclosed.

The core of the dispute centers on the alleged use of the borrowed funds for political campaigning, as asserted by Pharaze Dekpah. Representing DETA-Loan Incorporated, Dekpah claims that despite repeated efforts to retrieve the outstanding debt of nearly US$14,000, these attempts proved unsuccessful. This persistent failure to recover the funds ultimately led to the formal complaint being filed with the police, initiating the current legal proceedings against Armstrong Gobac Selekpoh.

Police officials have confirmed the arrest of Armstrong Gobac Selekpoh and have indicated that the matter has now advanced to the judicial system. The case is officially before the court, and investigators are actively preparing to present their evidence as the prosecution moves forward. This legal action underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the alleged breach of the loan agreement, especially given its purported connection to campaign activities.

The involvement of DETA-Loan Incorporated and its CEO, Pharaze Dekpah, in this Liberia debt recovery lawsuit highlights the challenges faced by lenders when funds are disbursed for purposes that might be difficult to track or recover, such as political campaign expenses. The progression of this case through the courts will likely shed more light on the specifics of the agreement and the circumstances surrounding the alleged non-payment.

Lawyers advising clients in Liberia on debt recovery or campaign finance should note the potential for criminal proceedings in loan disputes, particularly those involving political figures or campaign funding, and the importance of clear, legally sound loan agreements to mitigate such risks.

Source: Original reporting via Front Page Africa