On Thursday, February 19, 2026, at about 9:05 AM, LDEA officers conducting a routine search at the Owensgrove Checkpoint arrested Georgecilla Mulbah, 38, a Liberian national and resident of Rivercess County, in possession of six plates of compressed marijuana weighing 6 kilograms.
The seized drugs have an estimated street value of USD 600.00, equivalent to LRD 114,000.00.
Further investigation is ongoing, and afterward, the suspect will be forwarded to court as per the new drug law
The LDEA urges the public to continue assisting in the fight against drug trafficking by reporting any suspicious activities through its hotlines:
0777133333 / 0888133333
2026.2.17 Police charge Nigerian pastor with statutory rape, sexual abuse of minor
KAKATA, Margibi County — Police in Kakata have charged and forwarded to court a 46-year-old Nigerian pastor for allegedly sexually assaulting and impregnating a 17-year-old girl, authorities said.
The suspect, Apostle Ernest Ihejimeonu, faces charges including statutory rape, sexual abuse of a ward, criminal solicitation and criminal facilitation. He has been remanded at Kakata Central Prison pending court proceedings, police said.
Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | Facebook
The Liberia National Police said the charges stem from allegations that the pastor engaged in sexual relations with the minor and later provided money to facilitate an abortion. Investigators said the case was reported after the girl disclosed to her parents that Ihejimeonu was responsible for her pregnancy.
Under Liberia’s New Penal Law of Liberia, statutory rape involves sexual intercourse with a person younger than 18. The law classifies the offense as a felony and provides for imprisonment upon conviction. The law also prohibits sexual abuse involving minors where the accused holds a position of authority or trust.
Police said the suspect denied the allegations during questioning, stating he only provided financial assistance to the girl because she was a member of his church, The Light of God International Ministry in the Green Hill community.
However, investigators said they obtained digital evidence, including WhatsApp messages and audio recordings, allegedly linking the suspect to the pregnancy and discussions about terminating it. Authorities also allege the pastor transferred more than LD$20,000 to the girl.
Police said the suspect’s wife brought the teenager to Kakata Police Station on Feb. 7 and accused her of attempting to damage her husband’s reputation. The girl later provided information that led to the criminal investigation, authorities said.
Investigators also allege that during the 2023 election period, Ihejimeonu transported the minor to Lofa County under the pretext of attending a church event. Police said the trip may have been connected to voter registration activities. Authorities said the girl was under the legal voting age at the time.
Police confirmed that Ihejimeonu also works as a geography teacher at Lango Lippaye High School and other schools in Kakata.
Meanwhile, women’s rights advocates and child protection groups are calling for a fair and transparent trial. They cited Liberia’s Children’s Law of Liberia, which guarantees protection for minors against sexual exploitation and abuse.
Margibi County Gender Coordinator Danielton Assilton said authorities and community members must cooperate to ensure justice as being taken to jail on pre trail detention does not end the case noting that people must muster the courage to show up in court to pursue their case.
Ihejimeonu remains in custody pending a formally indictment by the grand jury of the 13th judicial circuit court.
MONROVIA — The Supreme Court of Liberia on Thursday reserved its ruling in contempt proceedings against Justin Oldpa Yeazehn, popularly known as Prophet Key, following arguments before the Full Bench at the Temple of Justice.
The case stems from a Feb. 4, 2026 citation issued by the Court ordering Yeazehn to appear and “show cause why you should not be held in contempt of court.” The citation alleged that he had made sustained public remarks directed at Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay and members of the Supreme Court that the justices said exposed the judiciary to ridicule and disrepute.
According to the Court’s order, the alleged statements included personal attacks against the Chief Justice. The matter has triggered public debate over the boundaries between constitutionally protected speech and conduct that may constitute contempt of court.
Article 15 of Liberia’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression but also subjects that right to limitations where speech infringes upon the rights and reputations of others or undermines public order.
When Yeazehn first appeared before the Full Bench on Tuesday, Feb. 10, he informed the Court that he did not have private legal counsel and requested representation.
The justices subsequently appointed attorneys from the Public Defender’s Office, including the head of that office, to represent him. The matter was continued to Thursday, Feb. 12, for full argument.
During the hearing, counsel representing Yeazehn acknowledged that their client’s statements were inappropriate and apologized to the Court.
Cllr. Bestman Juah, appearing on his behalf, urged the Court to temper justice with mercy.
“While Article 15 provides for free speech and opinion, once such actions injure another person, one must be held responsible,” Juah told the Bench, conceding that his client’s conduct crossed constitutional limits.
Yeazehn also addressed the Court directly, admitting that he had made offensive remarks, including insults directed at the Chief Justice. He expressed remorse and pledged to refrain from similar statements in the future.
“From today, I will never insult anyone again,” he told the justices.
Several amici curiae and legal practitioners participated in the proceedings. Representatives advocating for enforcement of the Court’s authority argued that meaningful sanctions are necessary to deter attacks on judicial officers and preserve institutional integrity.
They maintained that unchecked public disparagement of the judiciary could erode confidence in the justice system.
Chief Justice Gbeisay emphasized during the proceedings that the hearing was part of due process and not a predetermined finding of guilt. He noted that while freedom of speech is constitutionally protected, the Court retains inherent authority to safeguard its dignity and ensure respect for judicial processes.
Following arguments from both sides, the Supreme Court announced that it would deliberate and issue its decision at a later date.
The case has drawn national attention, raising questions about the scope of contempt powers in the digital age and the extent to which public commentary about judicial officers may attract sanction.
The Court’s forthcoming ruling is expected to clarify how Liberia balances constitutional protections for free expression with the judiciary’s authority to address conduct it deems contemptuous.
Monrovia, January 28, 2026: The dispute between the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and the occupants of the 72nd Front View Property is intensifying over the demolition of a property valued at USD $500,000.
Occupants of the popular entertainment center “Help Yourself” at 72nd Main Junction filed a writ of injunction on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, against the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), citing a forceful eviction warning and alleged lawlessness by the military.
Frances Yonger Morsay, owner of Help Yourself Business Center, argues that she holds a warranty deed for the property. She accuses the armed forces of acting unlawfully and attempting to seize investments worth thousands of U.S. dollars.
In an interview with New Dawn on Thursday, Ms. Morsay stated that she owns at least three lots of land acquired from the Smith family and claims the army is trying to demolish her investments by force.
“I’ve sold bottles for more than 10 years to put this investment here, and the AFL is now trying to seize it,” she said.
“They haven’t served any prior notice to us about this property. We just woke up one morning, on January 20th, and soldiers came in, acting brutally and violently towards the business without any communication. When I tried to question one of the soldiers, he nearly beat me,” Morsay alleged.
According to her, she has occupied the 72nd Front View Property under a 10-year lease agreement with the Smith family since 2022, valued at approximately US$25,000.
“I leased this property in 2022, and we have our warranty deed. If the Army wants the front view, let them come to us respectfully. We know they are the government—they have eminent domain, and we cannot fight them—but let them proceed in an orderly manner, not violently,” she added.
“We will not leave. If the Army wants to kill us, let them kill me because of my property. I spent my whole life selling and working hard to acquire this,” Morsay said.
Meanwhile, the writ of injunction filed by the Morsay family on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, against the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) has been rejected by the court.
On the same day, court sheriffs, acting on behalf of the Morsay family, issued a writ against the Army Command to halt the forceful eviction warning.
The property owners maintain that their assets were legally acquired before the establishment of the 72nd Military Barracks in 1985.
They have appealed to the Supreme Court to issue an injunction against the military’s planned eviction and demolition moratorium.
x1200
2026.1.27 Man on the run After Alleged Murder of 25-year-old Girlfriend
PAYNESVILLE, LIBERIA: A Liberian national identified as Edwin Mulbah has come to a point of controversy and is said to be on the run after a violent encounter with his longtime girlfriend, Rachel Korto, that reportedly led to the lady’s death in the Soul Clinic Community, in Paynesville.
The incident occurred on Sunday night and has since left residents shocked, and with many raising urgent questions about domestic violence in Liberia.
The altercation reportedly escalated when Rachel was struck with a cooking pot and mocked with a frying pan, while Mulbah allegedly turned up the music in their room to mask the sounds of the attack.
These details, coupled with the circumstances surrounding the attack, have intensified calls for accountability and swift action from authorities.
According to report, Rachel had spent the evening with friends before returning home, where sources indicate Mulbah arrived around 11:00 pm on January 25, 2026, sparking an argument that quickly turned violent.
Report indicate that a minor living with the couple, whose identity is withheld for protection, witnessed Rachel collapse and lose consciousness as Mulbah fled the scene, leaving neighbors and family in immediate distress.
Neighbors responded immediately, rushing Rachel to Benson Hospital in a desperate effort to save her. Due to the severity of her injuries, hospital authorities referred her to John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFK), where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
In the aftermath, Rachel’s family has formally appealed to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Justice, the Government of Liberia, and the Liberia National Police to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation, secure the immediate arrest of Mulbah, and hold all responsible parties accountable under Liberian law.
As of press time, the Liberia National Police had not confirmed Mulbah’s whereabouts, leaving the community anxious for answers and reinforcing the urgent need for stronger protections, public awareness campaigns, and systemic measures to safeguard victims of domestic violence across Liberia.
2026.1.12 National Security Agency Officer jailed for allegedly sodomizing a minor
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia — The Monrovia City Court on Monday ordered the incarceration of an officer of the National Security Agency following his arrest on allegations of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy.
The defendant, Peter Bon Jallah, 63, was remanded to jail after police charged him with gang rape, statutory rape, and kidnapping, pending trial.
According to the charge sheet filed by the Liberia National Police, Jallah was arrested on January 7, 2026, and subsequently investigated by the Women and Children Protection Section (WACPS) following a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother.
Police allege that the victim, identified by the initials A.H.B.A. to protect his identity, was sexually abused on multiple occasions between November 29 and December 24, 2025, at Jallah’s residence in the Air Field, Sinkor Sharks Community, where the boy reportedly performed domestic tasks in exchange for small payments.
Investigators further allege that on January 1, 2026, the defendant lured the boy under the pretext of buying him football boots, transported him to a property on Camp Johnson Road, and held him there until January 3, during which time he was allegedly gang-raped by Jallah and two unidentified adult males.
Police said the victim reported being given food that made him dizzy before the alleged assault occurred.
According to investigators, the victim was later abandoned on 15th Street, Sinkor, near Payne Avenue, late on January 3, 2026. He was found in distress by passersby, who assisted in contacting his family. The boy was subsequently taken to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, where he remains under medical care.
A medical report from the hospital’s One-Stop Center, cited by police, noted physical injuries consistent with sexual assault.
During preliminary investigations, police said witness statements, crime-scene visits, and GSM phone data placed the defendant within the vicinity of the alleged crime scenes, contradicting his account. Investigators also reported that the victim accurately described the defendant’s residence and vehicle.
Jallah has denied all allegations, telling investigators that the victim had never entered his compound and that he had no contact with the boy at any time.
Following interviews with the victim, complainant, witnesses, and the suspect, police said they established probable cause to proceed with charges.
WACPS investigators have formally charged Jallah and “other persons to be identified” with gang rape under Section 14.70(2), statutory rape under Section 14.70(b), and kidnapping under Section 14.50(1) of Liberia’s Penal Law. The case is pending trial before a court of competent jurisdiction.
2026.1.9 HIV-positive woman says status disclosure led to stigma, loss of livelihood in Karnplay
Karnplay, Nimba County–A woman living with HIV in Karnplay says her confidential medical status was disclosed without her consent, triggering widespread stigma that upended her livelihood, education and social life, according to accounts from the woman and people familiar with the matter.
The woman, identified as Kou to protect her privacy, said a former colleague at EQUIP shared her HIV status with members of the Karnplay community after the end of an HIV-focused project in Ganta where she had been employed.
“Even my boyfriend left me. I can’t go back to Karnplay,” she said. “Everyone points fingers at me. I had to leave everything and move to my mother’s village.”
She furthered that the disclosure led to discrimination that coerced her to abandon her small business, withdraw from the university and ultimately leave the community in 2023.
Kou previously worked with EQUIP, a health NGO, in a role typically reserved for people living with HIV. It was within the employ of the organization she said she was outed.
And it was there, she revealed, that a former colleague—Oretha Harris, also aware of her status—had been telling residents in the area about her condition.
She mentioned that she reported the matter to the Karnplay Comprehensive Health Center, where clinicians provided counseling and invited the former colleague to a mediation session.
According to her, the colleague apologized, but no disciplinary action followed. She then took the complaint to the community chairman, who convened a traditional meeting involving both women that again ended with an apology.
Despite advice from others to pursue a formal complaint with the police, she revealed that she declined, choosing to accept the apology and move on.
That decision proved costly as the impact of the disclosure soon intensified like a raging inferno.
“Customers stopped buying the roasted meat and meat gravy I sold to support myself, effectively collapsing my small business”. She also said some hairdressers refused to braid her hair, citing fear of contracting HIV.
“When she brought her meat to sell, people refused to buy,” said a Karnplay resident who asked not to be named. “They didn’t want anything to do with her.”
People living with HIV continue to come under discrimination and harassment from the public, according to the European Union Agency for Asylum.
In 2023, Dominic Bropleh, a gay man living with HIV, accused FHI360 of outing his HIV status by deliberately placing his photo on a placard as a person living with the virus for its social and behavioral change campaign.
The organization later tried to remove the placard from across the country though its attempt was futile. And although the public health law calls for penalization, no action was taken nor was Bropleh compensated in accordance with the law.
There are 36,000 individuals living with HIV across the country, according to the National AIDS Commission. Out of that number, women like Kou and others account for two-third of those . “Women by far constitute the most affected group in Liberia’s HIV burden,” Dr. Cecelia Nuta, chairperson of the Commission said during a press conference in November 2025.
UNAIDS data underscores these concerns. Among adults aged 15–49, HIV prevalence stands at 1.2% for women, double the 0.6% for men. Translating these percentages into numbers, approximately 24,000 of Liberia’s 36,000 HIV-positive citizens are women, making them the clear majority of those affected.
Health experts point to a combination of biological, social, and economic factors as drivers of this disparity. Unequal access to healthcare, gender-based violence, poverty, and limited sexual health education for young girls and women are cited as major contributors.
People whose HIV status has been outed have recourse under the law. Sections 18.23, 18.24, 18.25, and 18.26 of the amended Public Health Law of the revised Liberia Code of Laws call for a fine of L$10,000, revocation or suspension of license or operating permit of license for individuals or organizations violating the confidentiality of persons or individuals living with HIV.
Not Employees, EQUIP Clarifies
The executive director of EQUIP-Liberia, Roland Suomie, said the organization is aware of the incident but highlighted that the individuals involved were volunteers and not employees.
“They received training, supervision and allowances to create awareness and do follow ups. They were not employees,” Suomie noted in a text message to journalRAGE. “EQUIP has a clear policy on confidentiality and breaching of this policy has serious consequences, including termination of contracts for employees.
He said his underling, Sam Tappiah, confirmed receiving the report of Kou. “He and other supervisors along with the HIV focal person at Karnplay Health Center investigated and intervened. I am told because of this Harriet was not allowed to volunteer with the next phase of the project being supported by Youth Alive.”
Local authorities confirmed that the matter was addressed through counseling and community mediation but acknowledged that no formal action was taken. The Karnplay Comprehensive Health Center said it provided counseling, while the community chairman facilitated dialogue between the parties. There has been no police investigation or court case related to the incident.
Stigma Hovers
Three years after the outing of her HIV status, Kou said the stigma continues to hover everywhere she goes. Employment continues to delude her everywhere she goes.
“She told me she couldn’t take a Peer Educator job because no one would work with her,” said an outreach worker with the Liberia Equality Network (LEN) in Nimba County, who has been in contact with Kou.
Kou’s case has raised concerns among advocates about violations of privacy and discrimination against People Living With HIV. Public disclosure of a person’s HIV status without consent can expose individuals to stigma, social exclusion and economic harm, undermining their dignity and access to health, education and employment, the outreach worker said.
A spokesperson for LEN said Kou’s dilemma, while it may not be isolated, is the first case they have dealt with. “This is the first one we actually dealt with. We don’t have rapid response support to at least help.”
The LEN spokesperson furthered that they have beefed up its awareness in the county to prevent the situation a la Kou from replicating.
“We have to keep providing awareness. It’s not just about her but the issue of misleading information and lack of confidentiality. We provide weekly awareness in our target areas. For her as an individual we can not do much; we tried reaching out to LIWEN but didn’t hear anything from them.”
The foreseeable looks grim for Kou who has dropped out of university and relocated to her mother’s village to abscond from the icy stares of prying eyes. “Even my boyfriend left me. I can’t go back to Karnplay. Everyone points fingers at me.
发表回复