A twelve-member jury at the Criminal Court “A” located at the Temple of Justice has unanimously returned a guilty verdict against five Liberian women for their involvement in a child trafficking case.
The case involves fourteen (14) Liberian children who were intercepted by officers of the Liberia Immigration Service in the Red Light community of Paynesville while in the custody of the five accused women. Authorities reported that the children, ranging in age from four months to eleven years old, were allegedly being prepared for illegal transportation to Burkina Faso.
The accused women, including Halimatu Daramy, Hareita Beaye, Grace H. Sesay, Hawa Kamara, and Famata Doe, had been standing trial before Criminal Court “A” in Monrovia on charges related to human trafficking.
On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the fifteen-member jury found the defendants guilty of human trafficking. The court is expected to hand down its sentence in the coming days at Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce of Liberia and Minister of Labour, Cooper W. Kruah Sr., has welcomed the jury’s verdict, describing it as a significant breakthrough in Liberia’s ongoing efforts to combat and eliminate human trafficking.
Minister Kruah also commended members of the taskforce for their continued collaboration and commitment to addressing human trafficking. He specifically recognized the contributions of the Ministry of Justice (Liberia), the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (Liberia), the Liberia National Police, the Liberia Immigration Service, and several local and international partners for their support in combating the crime.
Authorities further recalled that the National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce, through the Ministry of Labour (Liberia), recently initiated the prosecution of three major human trafficking cases during the February Term of Court.
These cases are currently being heard at Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia, Montserrado County; the 7th Judicial Circuit Court in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County; and in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County.
The Government of Liberia continues to reaffirm its commitment to strengthening enforcement, prosecution, and prevention efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable persons and eradicating human trafficking across the country.
