MONROVIA – The Business Manager of a major real estate complex in Monrovia, Abraham Fallah, has been sent to the Monrovia Central Prison after being accused of repeatedly reconnecting the facility to the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) sewer lines without authorization. Mr. Fallah now faces formal charges of theft of service and violent conduct, following a complaint filed by the state-owned utility.
According to LWSC, the estate operates two separate sewer accounts, both of which carry significant arrears totaling USD 9,437.42. The corporation said the accounts under the names Abdulla Fara and Abdullah Faraj have a history of irregular and delinquent payments. Account One, registered as Abdulla Fara, holds an outstanding balance of USD 3,793.00, while Account Two, under the name Abdullah Faraj, owes USD 5,644.42. LWSC noted that the unpaid balances had remained unresolved despite repeated notifications.
The utility company reported that after the accounts fell into long-standing arrears, the property was disconnected. However, Mr. Fallah allegedly took matters into his own hands by reconnecting the facility without settling the bills. LWSC stated that the unauthorized reconnection was first detected earlier this year, prompting a second disconnection in October. Despite this, Mr. Fallah reportedly reconnected the property again without permission.
On Monday, December 1, 2025, LWSC’s Debt Recovery Team conducted what the corporation described as a routine inspection and discovered that the estate had once again been illegally reconnected, marking the third recorded violation. LWSC immediately dispatched its Task Force to apprehend Mr. Fallah, who they said resisted arrest and became disorderly, forcing intervention from the Liberia National Police.
Following his arrest, Mr. Fallah was processed and subsequently incarcerated pending court proceedings. LWSC emphasized that repeated illegal reconnections not only undermine revenue collection but also strain the already fragile sewer infrastructure, which the corporation is struggling to maintain and upgrade amid increasing demand for services in Monrovia.
In a statement issued on Monday, LWSC reminded the public that illegal connections are a criminal offense under Liberian law and carry penalties designed to deter tampering with public utility systems. The corporation said such actions place an unfair financial burden on compliant customers and jeopardize the sustainability of service delivery.
LWSC further explained that both accounts associated with the estate had been flagged in its database for persistent noncompliance. The corporation warned that it will intensify inspections and pursue legal action against individuals or businesses attempting to bypass official procedures. Officials expressed concern that unlawful reconnections contribute to sewer overflow, environmental hazards, and operational setbacks.
Residents living near the real estate complex expressed frustration, noting that such incidents create disruptions and undermine the broader effort to improve sanitation services in the capital. Some residents said they hope the case will serve as a deterrent to property owners and managers who attempt to evade payment responsibilities.
The matter is now expected to move to court for formal adjudication. LWSC says it will continue to cooperate with authorities to ensure that the charges of theft of service and violent conduct are fully addressed. The corporation reaffirmed that it remains committed to enforcing its regulations and urged all customers with outstanding bills to engage its offices for settlement options rather than resorting to illegal actions.
