Liberia: Judge Sentences Three in River Gee, Two Escape During Jailbreak

In River Gee County, three men have received prison sentences for various crimes, including armed robbery and drug offenses. However, following their sentencing, a jailbreak occurred with two of the convicts escaping. Authorities are currently pursuing the escapees while investigating the incident.

In a recent development from River Gee County, the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court has sentenced three individuals to prison for various criminal activities. This news, however, has been overshadowed by a significant security issue: a jailbreak that occurred shortly after the sentences were handed down. Judge D. Onesimus Banwon presided over the court proceedings earlier this week, where the defendants entered guilty pleas concerning their respective charges.

Among those sentenced, Nelson Jolo received a lengthy 15-year prison term for armed robbery. This conviction stemmed from an incident where he robbed Madam Mercy Seabo in Fish Town back in February 2025. Additionally, Peter Weah and Samuel Toe were found guilty of drug offenses under Liberia’s New Drug Law. Weah was sentenced to 10 years while Toe received a harsher sentence of 17 years for their crimes involving unlicensed drug possession and trafficking.

The situation escalated when news broke that just two days post-sentencing, three inmates, including two of the convicted men, escaped from the Fish Town Central Prison on the night of May 27. The escapees were Nelson Jolo, Samuel Toe, and a third inmate, Anthony Davis, who was serving a one-year sentence. This has raised serious concerns about prison safety and security.

Judge Banwon has confirmed that a joint security operation has been initiated to track down and recapture the escapees. He also mentioned that an internal review is in progress to investigate how the jailbreak happened, with a focus on any shortcomings in the facility’s security measures.

As of now, specific details regarding the methodology of the inmates’ escape remain scarce, and it is unclear if any prison personnel may have played a role in this disturbing incident. This case prompts a closer look at the prison system in Liberia, particularly regarding how it manages high-risk offenders.

In summary, the sentencing of three individuals in River Gee County has been marred by a concerning jailbreak that raises important questions about prison security. The swift response from authorities, including a joint operation to apprehend the escapees and an internal investigation, illustrates the seriousness of the situation. How this unfolds will be closely monitored by both the public and law enforcement agencies.

Original Source: frontpageafricaonline.com