Newsline Liberia

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River Gee Court Jails Woman Five Years for Tramadol Trafficking

The 15th Judicial Circuit Court in River Gee County has sentenced a woman identified as God There Johnson of Bartiken to five years imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to charges linked to the illegal possession and trafficking of controlled substances.

The ruling was handed down during the May Term A.D. 2026 by His Honor Judge D. Onesimus Banwon in the case involving the Republic of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice against the defendant.

According to the court records, Johnson was charged with unlicensed possession, sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, dispatch in transit and transportation of controlled drugs or substances in violation of Liberia’s Controlled Drug and Substance Act of 2023.

The court revealed that officers of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency arrested the defendant on January 15, 2026 at the Combat Gate Junction in River Gee County while she was allegedly in possession of a large quantity of Tramadol, a synthetic opioid drug derived from Codeine and Morphine.

Authorities estimated the street value of the drugs at approximately LD$1,120,000.00.

Court documents further indicated that during preliminary investigations conducted by the LDEA, the defendant voluntarily admitted to committing the offense before being forwarded to court for prosecution.

At the hearing held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the indictment was read and clearly explained to the defendant in a language she understood. The court stated that Johnson freely pleaded guilty without coercion, intimidation or promise.

Judge Banwon said the court took precautionary measures to ensure the guilty plea was voluntarily and intelligently made before accepting and recording the plea.

The court emphasized that narcotic drugs and controlled substances continue to pose serious threats to Liberia’s peace, security, health and moral fabric, especially among young people.

“A guilty plea constitutes a full admission of all material facts alleged in the indictment and dispenses with the necessity for prolonged trial,” the ruling noted.

Despite the gravity of the offense, the court said it considered mitigating circumstances surrounding the case, including the defendant’s willingness to admit guilt, her expression of remorse, and the saving of judicial time.

The court added that the law encourages repentance and rehabilitation where offenders demonstrate readiness to reform.

Based on the findings, the court adjudged Johnson guilty and sentenced her to five years imprisonment at the Fish Town Central Prison, including four months already spent in pre-trial detention.

The Clerk of Court was also ordered to issue the necessary commitment documents and forward copies of the ruling to prison authorities for immediate ex*****on of the sentence.

Post Credit: Verity Online Nees

Just In 👇

At 1:00pm, the entire Senate will sit as a Committee of the Whole for one reason: The EU Deforestation Regulation, or EUDR.

Why does it matter? Because this EU law decides whether Liberia’s rubber, cocoa, palm oil, and timber can keep entering European markets. No compliance, no access. And Europe is a major buyer.

Those to appear are:

- EU Representatives explaining the rules and support available.

- Ministry of Agriculture and LACRA speaking for Liberia’s farmers and regulators.

- Firestone Liberia, representing one of the country’s biggest rubber producers.

- Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, looking at the economic stakes.

- Plus other key agriculture stakeholders

Source: Spoon TV LIVE

UPDATE:
Uganda Ministry of Health has confirmed three new Ebola cases in the country, bringing the total number to five. The new cases include a health worker who attended to the initial patient, the driver who transported the first confirmed case, and a Congolese national.

Source: NTV Uganda

Update
The Ministry of Health, National Public Health Institute of Liberia and the John F. Kennedy Hospital dismissed information circulating the internal about the suspected Ebola case in Liberia.

Keeping Following Newsline Liberia

𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬

CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA — The Plenary of the Liberian Senate has tasked its Committee on Judiciary with a thorough review of two landmark bills submitted by President Joseph N. Boakai to establish a War and Economic Crimes Court and a specialized National Anti-Corruption Court.

The decision came during the Senate’s regular sitting on Thursday, May 21, 2026, following a formal communication from President Boakai requesting legislative consideration and eventual enactment of the measures.

In his letter to Senate President Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, President Boakai described both bills as critical instruments for strengthening justice, accountability, reconciliation, and sustainable national development in Liberia.

He said the proposed legislations are designed to fulfill long-standing recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and to meet Liberia’s international legal obligations on human rights, accountability, and good governance.

The President emphasized that a War and Economic Crimes Court would address decades of impunity linked to atrocities committed during Liberia’s civil conflicts.

Many victims and affected communities, he noted, continue to seek justice for crimes allegedly committed during the country’s brutal years of war.

According to the Liberian Leader , the proposed court would have jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity, and associated economic crimes from the civil crisis period.

He argued that the tribunal would serve as a mechanism for ensuring accountability while promoting healing and reconciliation among Liberians.

The initiative, he said, represents a significant step toward ending a culture of impunity and restoring public confidence in the nation’s justice system.

President Boakai also stressed the need for a specialized National Anti-Corruption Court

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Justice is Served: Nimba Court Sentences Grandmother to 25 Years for Killing Three Grandchildren.

SANNIQUELLIE, Nimba County The 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, has sentenced 56-year-old Mary Giah to 25 years imprisonment for the killing of her three grandchildren in Mehnla Town, Electoral District #9, bringing closure to a case that shocked residents across the county.

Mary Giah was convicted following court proceedings after Nimba County’s Grand Jury earlier returned a True Bill against her for the crime of murder, determining that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for trial.

The tragic incident occurred on February 22, 2026, when the victims six-year-old Mewaseh Giah, four-year-old Marvelous Zainsaye, and two-year-old Alvina Tokpah were reportedly left in the care of their grandmother.
According to police findings, Mary Giah told investigators she committed the act to “prove she is a witch physically,” claiming she was influenced by a demonic spirit.

Police also reported that the children’s mother, Mercy Giah, had allegedly left the children with the defendant on the night of February 21 while she spent the night away from home.

The sentencing was met with emotional reactions from residents of Mehnla Town and surrounding communities, many describing the ruling as justice for the victims.
Community members said the court’s decision sends a strong warning against violence toward children and helps restore peace following the horrifying tragedy that left the county in mourning.

Today, the host of Students Forum and foreman of Newsline Liberia, Alvin A. Brohdonyen made a brief stop at the Love and Healing Mission Academy to honor a career day program invitation sent by the Vice Principal of the institution, Samuel W. Bohlen.

Speaking during the program, the students forum host encouraged students to stay focused and chase their dreams regardless of the challenges of life.

The program was a remarkable moment of reflection that showcased CEO Alvin's earnest commitment to youth development.