Human Trafficking

In Stunning Development Accused Trafficker Pleads Guilty, Testifies Against Co-Defendants in Country’s Largest Trafficking Trial

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives A stunning turn in Liberia’s largest human trafficking trial unfolded Wednesday as one of the 12 defendants pleaded guilty and took the stand against her co-defendants. Moments before proceedings resumed in the morning, Shelley Jonny, dressed in a blue prison uniform, moved from the dock to address the…

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

In First Day of Liberia’s Largest Human Trafficking Trial, Victim Breaks Down During Testimony and Identifies Alleged Rapist

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent and New Narratives editors Summary: One of 57 alleged victims in the country’s largest human-trafficking case broke down during her testimony in open court, crying as she described how the man she identified—Daniel Davis—raped her after putting a drug in her drink in one of the trial’s most dramatic opening moments. After…

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

Jury Selection Begins in Liberia’s Largest Human Trafficking Trial as Defendants Plead Not Guilty

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent and New Narratives editors Summary: Jury selection began Monday in what prosecutors and anti-trafficking advocates describe as Liberia’s largest human trafficking case, nine months after victims, some of the country’s poorest citizens, first filed complaints against the accused perpetrators. Prosecutors and defense lawyers screened prospective jurors at Criminal Court “A” at…

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

11 Indicted in Country’s Biggest Trafficking Ring After FrontPage Africa Investigation Exposed Allegations Bribes Were About to Derail the Case

A grand jury in Monrovia has indicted 11 suspects in Liberia’s biggest human trafficking case to date, after a FrontPage Africa/New Narratives investigation revealed attempts to bribe officials to weaken charges. Prosecutors say the accused lured 57 victims with false promises of jobs abroad, then held them captive in compounds where they were beaten, starved,…

Anthony Stephens
Video

11 Indicted in Country’s Biggest Trafficking Ring After FrontPage Africa Investigation Exposed Allegations Bribes Were About to Derail the Case

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent and New Narratives editors Summary: A grand jury in Monrovia has indicted 11 people accused of operating a sprawling human trafficking ring that prosecutors say lured dozens of Liberians with promises of jobs abroad before holding them captive, extorting money from their families and subjecting some victims to rape and torture….

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

After Delays and Bribery Allegations, Liberia’s Largest Human Trafficking Case Goes to Trial

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent and New Narratives editors Ten of the 11 people accused in what prosecutors and anti-trafficking experts describe asLiberia’s largest human trafficking case are scheduled to go on trial Wednesday, weeks after aMontserrado County grand jury indicted them over the alleged trafficking and exploitation of57 poor people from seven of Liberia’s 15…

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

Groundbreaking investigation exposes the corruption that is paralyzing Liberia’s police and courts and allowing human traffickers to ensnare thousands of poor citizens

Promises of jobs in Canada and Australia have lured hundreds of people into the hands of human traffickers in Liberia. But fair trials for those affected have been elusive. A months-long New Narratives investigation detailed bribe payments that more than 50 victims said had protected their traffickers from prosecution. Delays have meant that the accused traffickers could walk free….


Victims and Advocates Angry As Government Stays Silent Over Bribery Allegations in Country’s Biggest Human Trafficking Case as Suspects’ Release Date Nears

In Liberia, victims and human rights advocates are expressing anger over the government’s silence in the country’s largest human trafficking case — as suspects move closer to possible release.The case involves more than fifty victims and allegations of bribery within the justice system. It is one of a growing number of human trafficking cases –…

Anthony Stephens
Radio

Victims and Advocates Angry As Government Stays Silent Over Bribery Allegations in Country’s Biggest Human Trafficking Case as Suspects’ Release Date Nears

Liberia’s biggest human‑trafficking case is now hanging by a thread as government officials remain silent over explosive bribery allegations, while 11 accused traffickers could walk free on bail this month due to delays in prosecution. Victims who bravely came forward say they feel abandoned as the justice system falters, raising serious concerns about corruption, accountability,…

Anthony Stephens
Video

Victims and Advocates Angry As Government Stays Silent Over Bribery Allegations in Country’s Biggest Human Trafficking Case as Suspects’ Release Date Nears

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Summary: Victims in Liberia’s largest human trafficking case said they were deeply disappointed by the government’s silence after they revealed to FrontPage Africa last week that they were repeatedly told by traffickers that they had paid bribes to Bestman Juah, a public defender, to keep the cases from free from justice….

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

How Liberia’s Human Traffickers Stay Free

A mass escape from a trafficking ring handed prosecutors everything they needed for Liberia’s biggest trafficking conviction. 51 victims say a bribe is about to set their traffickers free By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent and New Narratives editors On a morning last October, more than 50 women and men walked into Paynesville magistrates’ court…

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

Ivorian Man on Trial As Stalled Human Trafficking Trials Resume

By Anthony Stephens with New Narratives MONROVIA, Liberia—An Ivorian man is standing trial in Monrovia over human trafficking allegations in the first trial since Liberia was downgraded to the US State Department’s tier two Trafficking in Persons Watch List after the Weah administration cut off funding to trafficking prosecutions. The US government has warned the…

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

Breaking the Chains – After Being Trafficked to Oman a Group of Liberian Women Decided to Take Matters into Their Own Hands

Esther thought she was boarding a flight that would take her to a lucrative job in Dubai. Instead, she landed in Muscat, Oman, where she was beaten and sold into modern-day slavery. This is the incredible story of how Esther, and hundreds of other Liberian women, worked together to free themselves from human trafficking syndicates. …

Anthony Stephens and Prue Clarke
The Continent

Liberia gets Tough on Human Trafficking with Amended Law

In part three of this three-part series Anthony Stephens looks at the Liberian government’s efforts to get tough on human trafficking. In September 2021 the Liberian government sent a signal it was getting tough on human trafficking. The Legislature passed a revision to a 2005 law increasing the prison sentence for anyone found guilty of…

Anthony Stephens
FrontPage Africa

NSA Agent, Brother on Trial For Human Trafficking

MONROVIA – A disgraced agent of the National Security Agency has gone on trial with his brother for allegedly taking payments from international trafficking agents to mislead young Liberian women into traveling to the Middle Eastern country of Oman where they were to work as domestic servants. The indictment alleges Arthur Chan-Chan, and his brother…

Anthony Stephens
FrontPage Africa

Door Closes on Oman as Destination for Trafficked Women

Monrovia – In separate chilly mornings in September and October 2021 Sarah and Kolu defied the weather to travel to Roberts International Airport with one thing in mind: a trip to “paradise,” where all their sufferings and hardship would end. The pair, cousins in their 20s whose names FPA/NN is concealing for their security, say…

Anthony Stephens
FrontPage Africa