Judge Roosevelt Willie of Criminal Court ‘A’
By: Jacqueline Dennis
IPNEWS-Monrovia: Jurors in the case involving Sawo King Zubah for the Crime of Human Trafficking has unanimously agreed that the defendant is not guilty of the crime.
In their communication on Monday April 23, 2023 they indicated, “We the trial jurors whom the case between the Republic of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice plaintiffs verses Sawo King Zubah defendant crime Human trafficking in person and theft giving to bring a verdict careful consideration of the evidence adduced at the trial, we are hereby unanimously agreed that the defendant is hereby not guilty of the crime”.
The Clerk of Criminal Court “A” after reading the communication from the trial jurors, asked each of them as to whether or not if it was their verdict, but nine responded not guilty while three said guilty.
Judge Roosevelt Willie then stated “In view and therefore as per law, the defendant is not guilty of the crime of trafficking in person and theft is hereby set free and the clerk is ordered to prepare a release in favor of the defendant.”
It can be recalled that the defendant was indicted after it was reported that in February 2022, Defendant Sawo King Zubah and co-defendant Sarah (to be identified) allegedly influenced state victim Lisa Mangha to hand over US$250.00 plus other monies, offering to transport her to Oman, Asia under the pretense that she would work to receive a salary that would change her life.
Moreover the indictment said both of them met, and the defendant decided to request the victim for her transport to process her travel documents, and that agent fees had to be paid, an amount which the victim reportedly paid to the defendant Zubah in the Paynesville area.
According to the indictment, after that process, upon the arrival of the victim in Oman, she met co-defendant Sarah (to be identified), who immediately seized her traveling documents, including her passport. Thereafter, Lisa Mangha was taken to several places for work, subjected to degrading and inhumane treatment by individuals she worked for.
The indictment maintained that the victim was forced to work long days after 12 or more hours, without any break, was not paid for any of her work, and was sexually assaulted as well as raped while at one of the work, locations.
According to the indictment, “the victim and her family members communicated and attempted communication with the defendant and co-defendant, advising them about the deplorable and inhumane work environment and treatment and her being assaulted, and that the defendant and co-defendant did nothing for a long period”.
The indictment said the defendant and co-defendant were repeatedly admonished and told of the horrible treatment, nonpayment for work, and other maltreatment of the victim, yet still, nothing was done by the defendant to remedy or stop the said exploitation of the victim.
