Liberia: Judge Sentences Three in River Gee, Two Escape During Jailbreak
The Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court in River Gee County has sentenced three men for various crimes, but a security crisis emerged following a jailbreak where two of the convicts escaped. Nelson Jolo received 15 years for armed robbery; Samuel Toe got 17 years for drug offenses, and Peter Weah was sentenced to 10 years. A joint operation is underway to find the escapees while an investigation into the jailbreak is also being conducted.
FISH TOWN, River Gee County – Recently, the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court dealt with serious criminal matters as it sentenced three men for separate offenses. The sentences were handed down by Judge D. Onesimus Banwon after each defendant pleaded guilty to their charges. A looming security issue has emerged, however, following a significant jail escape involving two of those recently convicted.
Nelson Jolo faced the harshest penalty, receiving a 15-year sentence for armed robbery. This crime occurred in February of 2025, where Jolo was convicted of robbing Madam Mercy Seabo in the town of Fish Town. The court also sentenced two other men—Peter Weah, a resident of Sarbo, Welekken, and Samuel Toe from Fish Town—for drug-related offenses under Liberia’s New Drug Law. Weah will spend 10 years behind bars, while Toe was given a lengthier sentence of 17 years.
Tragedy struck just two days after these sentences were issued, as news broke that three inmates escaped from the Fish Town Central Prison late Tuesday night, May 27. The escapees included Jolo and Toe, alongside another inmate, Anthony Davis, who had been serving a one-year sentence. This event raises serious concerns about prison security and management.
Judge Banwon stated that a joint security operation was underway to find and recapture the escapees. Furthermore, he announced the initiation of an internal investigation to explore the details of how this jailbreak occurred, including possible failures in prison procedures or staffing. As of now, specific details about the escape route or potential involvement of prison staff remain undisclosed, keeping the community on edge about safety and oversight.
In summary, the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court has sentenced three men for crimes ranging from armed robbery to drug possession, but a major incident has overshadowed these proceedings. The escape of two convicted individuals from a local prison has prompted immediate action, with officials launching a search and investigation into how such a breach of security could happen. The situation continues to develop, raising concerns about prison protocols and community safety.
Original Source: frontpageafricaonline.com
