The NEWS (Monrovia)
Jimmey C. Fahngon
8 April 2008
Monrovia — The Liberian government has released from further detention four persons who were charged with murder in Rivercess County.
The accused were charged with murder following a trial by ordeal (Sassywood) in the county.
The trial by ordeal was administered after a fisherman was got missing while on a fishing expediture on sea.
The four accused persons include the Paramount Chief of Mano Beach Community in Rivercess County, Dixon Hinnah, Nathaniel Siebo, Mary Togba and Nyezewon Togba.
Announcing the release the four accused last Friday in Monrovia, Solicitor General Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe said the government has established that the accused were wrongly charged as such, it was prudent to restore their freedom.
He said the police officers who charged the suspects told him that the devil and zoes of Rivercess County forced them to do so.
According to him, if the police officers had not charged the suspects for murder, their lives would have been in danger.
Cllr. Gongloe said trial by ordeal was illegal as such, the government has no alternative but to release the accused persons.
He said the government will not allow any individual or group to engage in trial by ordeal as it does not speak well for a modern nation.
Cllr. Gongloe said the days of trial by ordeal were over therefore, people who are still practicing such culture should desist.
Describing the act as ancient, Gongloe told the accused that they were freed to return to their community in Rivercess County and admonished to anyone who intimidates them to the police.
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They should be released! I wonder why the cops obeyed the Devil....... O well! THAT'S STILL NUTSO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SLJ