Duazon, Margibi County – Family members of the late Erol Madison Gwion, Representative of Electoral District One in Grand Gedeh, are demanding the unconditional release of Grand Gedeans who were arrested and jailed on bogus charges, reportedly on the orders of Senator Zoe Emmanuel Pennue in Zwedru.
By Jaheim T. Tumu
According to reports, six people have been arrested, and several others are on the run in connection to the burning and vandalization of Senator Pennue’s homes in the county.
The incident occurred after the family announced the death of Representative Gwion, which angered a crowd linked to Sen. Pennue, prompting them to set ablaze several properties, including two residences owned by the Senator and the Traditional Council Building.
In a joint press statement where they described Representative Gwion as extremely painful and life-shattering, Chief of the Office Staff, Justice Clarke, accused Senator Pennue of being responsible for all the chaos that has taken place in Grand Gedeh county.
Clarke further alleged that there were several threats on the late lawmaker’s life, including physical attacks on his person and attacks of other sorts by a few non-progressive elements in our society.
According to him, the family and the office of the late Rep Gwion do not condone any act of violence and have thereby pleaded for calm as they work towards the befitting burial of a statesman.
Clarke said, “While we respect the law, we find it despicable that in the face of our grief and despondency over the passing of the man we loved so dearly, Mr. Zoe Pennue has proven to be insensitive and arrogant by not allowing the fallen lawmaker to take his final rest before filing lawsuits against the people who gave him the power that he enjoys today.”
“We strongly believe that Mr. Pennue’s move to have Grand Gedeans incarcerated without due process, nor valid proof of a crime, is to distract the family of Hon. Gwion and disrupt our period of mourning.”
He emphasized, “Consequently, we see his action as a gross lack of empathy, as an even further attack on the family, and a demonstration of a semblance of his popularly alleged complicity. We demand that those Grand Gedeans arrested and jailed with bogus charges, on the orders of Mr. Pennue, be released unconditionally.
Clarke, however, called on the government, through the Ministry of Justice, particularly the police, to ensure that calm and peace return to Zwedru.
He also extended appreciation to those who are advocating for the release of those that are in prison and urged Grand Gedeans to remain non-violent throughout this process.
