Support Our Journalism
Breaking
Crime WatchNews

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

Assigned Circuit Court Judge D. Onesimus Banwon handed down the sentences earlier this week after the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective crimes.

FISH TOWN, River Gee County – The Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court in River Gee County has sentenced three men to prison for separate criminal offenses, but a major security concern has emerged following a jailbreak involving two of the convicted individuals.


By Francis G. Boayue


Assigned Circuit Court Judge D. Onesimus Banwon handed down the sentences earlier this week after the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective crimes.

Nelson Jolo was sentenced to 15 years for armed robbery after being convicted of robbing Madam Mercy Seabo in Fish Town in February 2025.

Two others, Peter Weah of Sarbo, Welekken, and Samuel Toe of Fish Town, were convicted under Sections 14.85 and 14.89 of Liberia’s New Drug Law for the unlicensed possession and sale of controlled drugs and substances. Weah received a 10-year sentence, while Toe was sentenced to 17 years.

However, just two days after sentencing, authorities confirmed that three inmates—two of whom were recently convicted—escaped from the Fish Town Central Prison on the night of Tuesday, May 27.

According to Judge Banwon, the escapees have been identified as Nelson Jolo (15 years for armed robbery), Samuel Toe (10 years for drug offenses), and Anthony Davis, also known as Taree, who was serving a one-year sentence.

Judge Banwon said a joint security operation has been launched to locate and apprehend the fugitives. He added that an internal investigation is also underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak and whether there were lapses in prison protocols.

No further details have been provided about how the inmates escaped or whether prison staff were involved.

Support Independent Journalism

Your support helps FrontPage Africa continue delivering independent, credible, and impactful journalism. Every contribution strengthens our ability to investigate, inform, and hold power accountable while keeping quality journalism accessible to our readers.

Support our journalism or subscribe to receive the latest FrontPage Africa stories and updates.

Independent. Fearless. Liberian.

Support independent journalism

Your support helps FrontPage Africa keep investigating, informing and holding power to account, and keeps quality journalism free for every reader.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *