Journalism

Senior Police Investigator Denies Taking Defendants’ Property as Largest Trafficking Trial Reaches Closing Stages

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives Summary: · The judge rejected a defense request to disregard a jury inspection report on the alleged crime scene. · Prosecutors opened their rebuttal case with seven witnesses, including victims, as senior police investigator Enoch Dunbar denied taking defendants’ property. · Additional rebuttal witnesses disputed testimony from defendants as the…

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

Jurors, Defendants and Alleged Victims Visit Site at Center of Largest Human Trafficking Trial as Case Enters Crucial Phase

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives  Summary: ·  Jurors, defendants and alleged victims in Liberia’s biggest human trafficking trial visited the compound where all 57 victims said they were held, marking a pivotal moment as the trial enters its final stages. ·  The inspection revealed the layout of the compound, which defendants insist was a…

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

‘I DID NOT TRAFFIC’: Defendant Says as Third Witness Corroborates Testimony That Vice President’s Security Inspected Alleged Trafficking Compound

Alexander Saye Plato, one of the defendants in Liberia’s largest human trafficking trial, denied charges of trafficking, conspiracy, and theft, while corroborating earlier testimony that members of Vice President Jeremiah Koung’s security detail visited the compound at the center of the case. He testified that the officers came to inspect the facility after the Vice…

Anthony Stephens
Video

Senate Begins Consultations on Competing War Crimes Court Bills; Advocates Hope Outstanding Issues Can Be Resolved Before Public Hearings

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives  Summary: Liberia’s Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims and Petitions this week began consultations on six competing bills to establish a war and economic crimes court and a national anti-corruption court, the first step in an effort to harmonize the legislation before public hearings expected to…

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

‘I DID NOT TRAFFIC’: Defendant Says as Third Witness Corroborates Testimony That Vice President’s Security Inspected Alleged Trafficking Compound

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives  Summary: • A third defendant in Liberia’s largest human trafficking trial corroborated testimony from two co-defendants that members of Vice President Jeremiah Koung’s security detail visited the compound at the center of the case. The defendants said the officers inspected the facility after Koung moved into the…

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

As Vaccine Aid Is Cut, a Remote Measles Outbreak Shows What’s at Risk

By Tetee Gebro and Joyclyn Wea, gender and health correspondents with New Narratives Summary KIANGIA TOWN, Todee District — The measles came to this town in January. Nobody announced it. Nobody warned families here. It moved quietly from home to home, the way measles does — through the air, between children playing; spreading before anyone understood…

Tetee Gebro and Joyclyn Wea
Frontpage Africa

Two Defendants Deny Charges as Second Witness Corroborates Security Visit, Claims Vice President’s Guards Didn’t “Bother Anybody” at Compound at Heart of Case

Stanley Wonlebaye, one of the defendants in Liberia’s largest human trafficking trial, testified that four members of Vice President Jeremiah Koung’s security detail visited the compound at the center of the case, corroborating earlier testimony from another defendant. He claimed the officers entered, were briefed on the organization’s activities, and then left without interfering, saying…

Anthony Stephens
Video

Defendant in Largest Human Trafficking Trial Denies Charges, Claims Vice President’s Security Inspected Compound at Center of Case as Court Orders Site Visit

The defendant in Liberia’s largest human trafficking trial denied all charges, insisting that his compound was legitimate and even claimed that members of Vice President Jeremiah Koung’s security detail had inspected the premises. He argued that this inspection demonstrated transparency, while the court ordered a site visit to the compound at the center of the…

Anthony Stephens
Video

Liberia’s Rice Revolution: Experts Say A Proven Model Offers Hope to Break Dependence on Imports and Reduce Hunger

By Nemenlah Cyrus Harmon, New Narratives climate and environment correspondent Summary Liberia is slowly adopting what experts say is a proven rice farming method that could help the country grow more food and reduce its dependence on imports. The program known as “System of Rice Intensification” has been used successfully in other countries to increase…

Nemenlah Cyrus Harmon
Frontpage Africa

Two Defendants Deny Charges as Second Witness Corroborates Security Visit, Claims Vice President’s Guards Didn’t “Bother Anybody” at Compound at Heart of Case

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives  Summary: • A second defendant in Liberia’s largest human trafficking trial corroborated earlier testimony that four members of Vice President Jeremiah Koung’s security detail visited the compound at the center of the case and went further by claiming they “accepted” the operation after being briefed on their…

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

Defendant in Largest Human Trafficking Trial Denies Charges, Claims Vice President’s Security Inspected Compound at Center of Case as Court Orders Site Visit

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives  Summary: • A defendant in Liberia’s largest human trafficking trial testified Monday that four members of Vice President Jeremiah Koung’s security detail inspected the compound where victims were allegedly held before the vice president moved into a house nearby and found no evidence of the crimes. •…

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

Accused Trafficker Denies Charges, Says He Was Legally Recruiting Victims to Sell Products for Malaysian Firm Qnet

By Anthony Stephens, senior justice correspondent with New Narratives  Summary: On day seven of Liberia’s largest human-trafficking trial, an accused perpetrator testified that he was an “independent representative” of QNet, the Malaysian e-commerce company, that has become synonymous with human trafficking throughout West Africa, undertaking legal activities recruiting people to be representatives and sellers for the…

Anthony Stephens
Frontpage Africa

Emergency Childbirth Fees Push Poor Families to Fundraise During Labor, Leading to Death and Injury

In Liberia, many women in labor face life-threatening delays because hospitals demand upfront payments for emergency procedures. Families are often forced to leave the hospital mid-delivery to raise funds, a desperate situation that has led to mothers dying or suffering severe complications while waiting for care. The practice underscores the devastating impact of poverty and…

Fatu Kamara
Video

Taxed Into Shame: Ghana Gives Free Pads, Liberian Girls Cut Up Diapers

In Liberia, many schoolgirls are forced to cut baby diapers in half or use cloth during their periods because sanitary pads are taxed at 30 percent, making them unaffordable. While Ghana has already taken bold steps to provide free pads to schoolgirls, Liberia’s proposed bill to remove taxes on menstrual products remains stalled in committee,…

Joyclyn Wea
Video