Sanniquellie, Nimba County –The head of the Group of 77 Disabled Persons in Nimba County, Amos T. Gbawon, 52, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the brutal rape of a baby girl aged one year and eleven months.
By D. Franklin Doloquee/ Nimba County
The verdict was pronounced by Judge Musa S. Sidibey at the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court, a court specially designated to handle sexual offense cases in the county.
Gbawon, who also served as co-chairman of the disabled organization, was found guilty of sexually assaulting the toddler within the compound of the Nimba County Disabled Community Facility, a place intended to provide safety and support for vulnerable individuals.
According to court documents, the victim and Gbawon resided in the same compound but in separate apartments. On the day of the incident, the toddler wandered from her mother’s apartment and entered Gbawon’s residence, where the horrific assault took place.
A thorough medical examination of the child confirmed the sexual abuse, providing critical evidence that supported the prosecution’s case.
The verdict has sent shockwaves throughout Nimba County, raising urgent concerns about the protection of children and vulnerable populations within communal living spaces, particularly in facilities designed for disabled persons.
During sentencing, Judge Musa Sidibey highlighted the severity and cruelty of Gbawon’s actions. He stressed the society’s moral and legal obligation to safeguard its most defenseless members.
The 25-year prison term, he noted, serves not only as retribution but also as a powerful deterrent against future crimes of this nature. If Gbawon serves his full sentence, he will be 77 years old at the time of release.
Despite the court’s overwhelming evidence, Gbawon has vehemently denied the charges, while leaving the Court to the prison Compound in Sanniquellie.
Addressing reporters, Gbawon declared his innocence, alleging that the accusations are a deliberate conspiracy aimed at tarnishing his reputation and displacing him from his leadership role within the disabled community.
The case has prompted urgent calls from local government officials, community leaders and child protection advocates for increased vigilance and stronger protective measures to prevent such horrific offenses.
Many have appealed for expanded education programs focused on child protection and awareness of sexual abuse, as well as the establishment of more effective reporting mechanisms in communal and institutional settings.
Officials emphasized that safeguarding children and disabled individuals requires collective effort from families, community organizations, and law enforcement agencies.
They urged the community to remain alert and to support victims in coming forward so that perpetrators can be brought to justice swiftly.
This tragic incident has highlighted the critical need for enhanced monitoring and support systems in living environments for vulnerable populations, ensuring that places meant for care do not become settings for abuse.
The voices of child protection groups in Nimba County have grown louder in demanding policy reforms and community-based strategies to strengthen the safety nets around children and disabled persons.
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